Appearing on ABC’s Q&A program last night, Senator Bernadi said the communication minister had been too strident in his criticism of Bolt’s views.
"It was inappropriate; it was unwise to do," he said.
"… Malcolm I just think went a bit too heavy today."
Senator Bernardi also defended Bolt, who had written that Mr Turnbull's actions sent "a mistakable message to Liberal MPs — replace Abbott with Turnbull as prime minister".
"The simple fact is you can't always just go out and attack the person who's having a go at you," he said.
"… Andrew is entitled to his opinions, I think he's a very principled man."
His comments came hours after Mr Turnbull dismissed Bolt's column.
"It borders on the demented to string together a dinner with Clive Palmer and my attending, as communications minister, the launch by a cross party group of friends of the ABC, and say that that amounts to some kind of threat or challenge to the prime minister," he said.
"…I just have to say to Mr. Bolt, he proclaims loudly that he is a friend of the government, well with friends like Bolt we don’t need any enemies."
Mr Bolt also appeared on ABC television last night, telling 7.30 that "with Liberals like Malcolm Turnbull, who needs Labor".
Share
