Shock jocks fuming at Lib leader change

Radio host Ray Hadley says the Liberal Party was un-Australian to dump Tony Abbott and make Malcolm Turnbull leader.

Australia's right-wing shock jocks are furious Malcolm Turnbull has ousted Tony Abbott as prime minister.

The whole affair replicated the disgrace of Labor and was entirely un-Australian, 2GB's Ray Hadley said on Tuesday morning.

"There are people with blood on their hands," he told the Nine Network.

Deputy leader Julie Bishop, who precipitated a late-night leadership ballot by tapping Mr Abbott on the shoulder, was singled out as one of those people.

Mr Turnbull was unelectable and would hand the next election to Labor, Hadley warned.

"We have a lot of listeners across Australia and a lot are filthy about this," he said.

Hadley was also upset with Services Minister Scott Morrison, someone he regards as a personal friend.

"He told me he supported the prime minister.

"He will get the job as treasurer because obviously he had a conversation with Malcolm Turnbull prior to the vote last night."

Hadley's colleague Alan Jones also vented his displeasure as listeners to 2GB called in to say they weren't happy with the switch to Mr Turnbull.

Hadley called it "one of the great acts of political treachery in our history".

The Liberal Party has learned nothing from the former Labor government, he said.

Hadley described the 53 Liberal MPs who voted for Turnbull as "numbskulls".

"Bronwyn Bishop, my god, ... you should retire from politics today Bronwyn - fall on your sword - that bloke (Abbott) supported you up hill and dale and then your last act of treachery, because he had to show you the door, you show him the door.

"What a terrible thing to do," he told 2GB listeners on Tuesday.

Hadley went on to name other Liberal MPs who he said had betrayed Mr Abbott, including Mal Brough, George Brandis, Christopher Pyne, Julie Bishop, Peter Hendy, Scott Ryan, Craig Laundy and Arthur Sinodinos.

"I have 22 names in front of me, that we are told voted for Turnbull.

"Given that he (Turnbull) voted for himself - we need another 31 names."

Jones said Australia had a "lot of thinking to do".

"Tony Abbott was doing a magnificent job in very, very difficult circumstances and getting results, but unlike the others, he doesn't pump up his own tyres."

Conservative commentator Andrew Bolt told Jones the Liberals had been panicked by polling.

"They rewarded people who leaked and betrayed Tony Abbott," he said.

"They've elected a guy who, when he was last leader of the opposition, had none of the communication skills he's now promising he has and can use to save the Liberals. It's a huge call.

"Malcolm Turnbull I think still has trouble accepting advice from people he thinks aren't quite as smart as he is."

Jones said Australia had a "lot of thinking to do".

"Tony Abbott was doing a magnificent job in very, very difficult circumstances and getting results, but unlike the others, he doesn't pump up his own tyres."

Conservative commentator Andrew Bolt told Jones the Liberals had been panicked by polling.

"They rewarded people who leaked and betrayed Tony Abbott," he said.

"They've elected a guy who, when he was last leader of the opposition, had none of the communication skills he's now promising he has and can use to save the Liberals. It's a huge call.

"Malcolm Turnbull I think still has trouble accepting advice from people he thinks aren't quite as smart as he is."


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4 min read

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Source: AAP


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