Breaking: Abbott leadership challenge

Written By: - Date published: 5:58 pm, September 14th, 2015 - 88 comments
Categories: australian politics, uncategorized - Tags: ,

Update: Abbott is gone, Turnbull won 54-44.

Update:

This photograph apparently sums up Julia Gillard’s current emotional state …

gillard-laughing

88 comments on “Breaking: Abbott leadership challenge ”

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  1. Lanthanide 1
    14 September 2015 at 6:10 pm

    That sort of came out of nowhere?

    Stuff has a timeline, seems the proximate cause is this:

    September 2015: Minister Peter Dutton accuses Fairfax of a “jihad” against the government. Report of a hit list of ministers likely to be axed in reshuffle reignites leadership talk.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/72046444/malcolm-turnbull-and-julie-bishop-ask-tony-abbott-for-a-ballot-for-liberal-leadership

    • dukeofurl 1.1
      14 September 2015 at 6:35 pm

      Came out of nowhere ?

      The by election next Saturday is looking a dire result in a safe Liberal seat. No nowhere about it.

    • adam 1.2
      15 September 2015 at 9:38 am

      What planet are you on?

      He has been doing badly about a week after he got elected. And he has only got worse.

      • Lanthanide 1.2.1
        15 September 2015 at 12:59 pm

        I mean this specific challenge seem to come out of nowhere. Obviously he faced off challenges earlier in the year – but there had been rumblings for over a week before that came to a head.

        Apparently there were ‘rumours’ on Monday morning, and by Monday afternoon it was publicly announced and he was gone by midnight. Very quick.

        • adam 1.2.1.1
          15 September 2015 at 1:29 pm

          He lost it in cabinet, last week. It hit the fan big time by Wednesday, and he was a goner at that point. There a in depth analysis being worked on by the ABC as we speak.

      • Chris 1.2.2
        15 September 2015 at 1:39 pm

        Yeah, a week after Gillard and Labor couldn’t poll any lower.

  2. Ovid 2
    14 September 2015 at 6:11 pm

    It’s on like Donkey Kong. This wouldn’t happen without Turnbull being very sure of his numbers.

  3. Anne 3
    14 September 2015 at 6:18 pm

    Broke on TV1 news a few minutes ago.

  5. dukeofurl 5
    14 September 2015 at 6:41 pm

    Funny Murdoch was calling for a snap election the other week. Dont think he meant for the liberal leadership ?

    For technical reasons the full election timings are this:

    ” As the terms of half the senators end on 30 June 2017, the writs for a half-Senate election cannot be issued earlier than 1 July 2016, and the earliest possible date for a simultaneous House/half-Senate election is 6 August 2016″- Wikipedia

    The latest they can go is 14th january 2017, and the other possibility of a ‘double dissolution’ ( very rare) would only be between 11may and 16 July 2016

  6. AB 6
    14 September 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Shame – better for the ALP if the nutter stays on as long as possible.

    • miravox 6.1
      14 September 2015 at 8:21 pm

      There is that.

    • Morrissey 6.2
      14 September 2015 at 8:32 pm

      “Better for the ALP”. Maybe, but the ALP is not a lot better than the Liberals, sadly. What Australia needs more than anything is an Aussie Jeremy Corbyn to take control of the ALP.

  8. Hutty 8
    14 September 2015 at 7:17 pm

    What happens if Turnbull wins? Is there another election for Prime Minister or would Turnbull become PM?

  9. Clemgeopin 9
    14 September 2015 at 7:21 pm

    One right wing nutter will get dethroned and another right wing goon will take his place…..to keep working for the Wealthy, the Corporates and the 1% ers. Their styles may change, but the selfish crap values will remain. Will be business as usual!

    • Olwyn 9.1
      14 September 2015 at 10:08 pm

      I’m more uneasy about Turnbull than Abbott. I don’t think that Abbott can actually be dumb, he was a Rhodes scholar I think, but he has a very odd public persona and beyond his social conservatism it is hard to see a clear economic or political position. Turnbull, however, is more urbane, and seems more likely to effectively court the soft liberals while quietly kicking the unions and the poor. Like Cameron, who courted the NME generation, and Key who poses as a centrist. This type is harder to beat, and capable of doing more damage.

      • Clemgeopin 9.1.1
        14 September 2015 at 10:46 pm

        Great points. Very perceptive.

        That is why I trust Labour leaders like Corbyn, Sanders, Anderton, Little. They seem more authentic and trustworthy. I don’t think these would ever be such shameful, treacherous agents of capitalism and traitorous to the socialist cause as Douglas, Prebble etc were while working with the despicable, disgraceful wealthy outside gang from within.

      • RedLogix 9.1.2
        15 September 2015 at 12:28 am

        I have to agree Olwyn. Good comments.

        At this point it looks like the spill gives the Liberals a decent shot at winning the next election which is in just 11 months time.

        Turnbull will get six months honeymoon, and a lot of business and media support. He’ll clean up the Abbott’s pig-headed legacy on climate change and same-sex marriage.

        That will be enough to swing the numbers – and I don’t see Shorten cutting mustard. Having said that the by-election in Canning this weekend will be a very big indicator of how the Australian electorate reads all of this.

        • Olwyn 9.1.2.1
          15 September 2015 at 8:11 am

          Turnbull’s claim that he will run a “…thoroughly Liberal government” committed to freedom, the individual and the market,” along with his praise of John Key suggest that Australia unfortunately now has its own version of the incremental radical at the helm. And I agree that Shorten looks unlikely to be a match for him. True to form, he will immediately take the little bit of progressive ground that Shorten thinks he can afford and leave him floundering and equivocating.

          On the positive side, Turnbull looks as if he will have his job cut out uniting his party, and the combination of Corbyn’s UK victory and Shorten’s shortcomings may see a push for Albinese arising in Labor circles.

          • RedLogix 9.1.2.1.1
            15 September 2015 at 8:46 pm

            Early poll:

            IN an incredible early lift in the polls, a majority of Labor voters said Malcolm Turnbull is a better Prime Minister over Bill Shorten

            A snap Morgan poll conducted today on who Australian voters think is the better PM found Mr Turnbull is preferred by 70 per cent of voters compared to 24 per cent for Bill Shorten.

            The special Snap SMS poll of 1204 voters also found a majority of Labor supporters say Mr Turnbull is the better leader, with 50 per cent supporting him compared to 44 per cent supporting Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

            “Turnbull leads clearly amongst both genders, across all States and Territories and leads Shorten across supporters of both major parties,” Gary Morgan said.

            “Greens supporters have also swung behind the new Prime Minister: Turnbull 57 per cent; Shorten 38 per cent.’’

            http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/live/liberal-leadership-malcolm-turnbull-takes-over-as-prime-minister/story-fnvc7dad-1227527418031

            • Olwyn 9.1.2.1.1.1
              15 September 2015 at 9:10 pm

              It is now against Labor Party rules to change leaders between elections, and Turnbull only needs to maintain moderation of the populist kind for 11 months. Australia has so far managed to limit the neoliberal potential for wrecking people’s lives, but I fear that this is about to change, though Turnbull will still face more obstacles there than he would here, with the senate to get past and more politicians who cross the floor, etc.

  10. BM 10
    14 September 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Abbot is Australias David Cunliffe.

  11. millsy 11
    14 September 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Well its on tonight. Politics is like cricket. Long periods of boredom interspersed with short bursts of excitement.

  12. rhinocrates 12
    14 September 2015 at 8:55 pm

    “Julia Gillard Rushed To Hospital After Overdosing On Schadenfreude.”

    http://www.sbs.com.au/comedy/article/2015/02/04/julia-gillard-rushed-hospital-after-overdosing-schadenfreude

    Cartoon, “The thoroughly humiliating and extremely satisfying demise of Tony Abbott”

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/feb/04/the-thoroughly-humiliating-and-extremely-satisfying-demise-of-tony-abbott

  13. Clemgeopin 13
    14 September 2015 at 10:22 pm

    TurnBULL’s statements ! :

    ‘We can’t cut our way to prosperity. We have to build it’

    ‘This leadership election will be an extraordinary demonstration of grassroots democracy and public participation, which will turn the conventional wisdom about politics on its head.’

    ‘Who can now seriously claim that young people aren’t interested in politics or that there is no appetite for a new kind of politics? Above all, it has shown that millions of people want a real alternative, not business as usual, either inside or outside our party’

    ‘The hope of change and bringing big ideas in is now back at the centre of politics: ending austerity, tackling inequality, working for peace and social justice at home and abroad. That’s why our party was founded more than a century ago’

    ‘My election will give our founding purpose a new force for the 21st century: a party that gives voice to the 99%’

    ‘I will fight and win on the basis of policies, not personalities, without abuse or rancour. For the absolute avoidance of doubt, my leadership will be about unity, drawing on all the talents – with women representing half of the shadow cabinet – and working together at every level of the party’

    ‘We can create a new kind of politics: kinder, more respectful, but courageous, too. We make things possible by campaigning for change. We can change minds, we can change politics, we can make things better’

    ‘Everybody aspires to an affordable home, a secure job, better living standards, reliable healthcare and a decent pension. My generation took those things for granted and so should future generations’

    ‘Trade unions are a force for good – a force for a more equal society.’

    ‘It is clear, too, that the government will soon again be asking us to bomb Syria. That won’t help refugees, it will create more. Isis is utterly abhorrent and President Assad’s regime has committed appalling crimes. But we must also oppose Saudi bombs falling on Yemen and the Bahraini dictatorship murdering its democracy movement, armed by us. Our role is to campaign for peace and disarmament around the world’

    ‘Our job is to show that the economy and our society can be made to work for everyone. That means ensuring we stand up against injustice wherever we find it and we fight for a fairer and more democratic future that meets the needs of all’

    ‘“The most important message my election offers to the millions is that our party is now unequivocally on their side. We understand aspiration and we understand that it is only collectively that our aspirations can be realised.”
    ———————————-

    Turnbull? Nah, Just kidding! That was Corbyn, not Turnbull, in an exclusive newspaper article today,

    The full article with ‘correct quotes’ is here.
    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/13/jeremy-corbyn-labour-leadership-victory-vision

  14. gnomic 14
    14 September 2015 at 10:48 pm

    https://www.rt.com/news/195820-abbott-putin-shirtfront-judo/

    This Abbott fellow, wasn’t he the one who wanted to shirtfront Putin at an international conference? Clearly a crackpot?

    I think this was the Grauniad article that made me realise he had to go.

    http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/17/for-tony-abbott-its-full-steam-ahead-on-coal-the-foundation-of-prosperity

    Too bad for Oz he may be replaced by someone more plausible if not actually more competent and keep the Right in power.

  15. Ovid 15
    14 September 2015 at 11:01 pm

    ABC has removed the geoblock on their Youtube feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnZRKrvsLdk

  16. ropata 16
    14 September 2015 at 11:53 pm

    Key delusional 🙂

    UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE #libspill pic.twitter.com/NinFpThuJ4— Vincent (@VinLew) September 14, 2015

    • Draco T Bastard 16.1
      15 September 2015 at 12:04 am

      That’s not unbelievable – Key did, after all, announce himself as leader of the Labour Party at one point.

  18. Draco T Bastard 18
    14 September 2015 at 11:55 pm

    Turnbull defeats Abbot

    http://www.snappytv.com/tc/817047

    • Clemgeopin 20.1
      15 September 2015 at 12:49 am

      A cow is turned over the moon by a bull on Musth. A bishop lends a hand. All is shamefully under hand and dirty down under.

  22. JonL 22
    15 September 2015 at 12:15 am

    The best part is, he misses out on his primeministerial pension by 4 days – he would have qualified for it on Friday.

    I pick Scott Morrison to challenge Turnbull after the dust has settled, and he is scarier than Abbott-truly nasty.

  24. joe90 24
    15 September 2015 at 1:30 am

    ♪ Memories … ♫

  25. dialey 25
    15 September 2015 at 6:43 am

    I fear Oz has just replaced one idiot with another. Turnbull aspires to be like John Key…wtf!

  26. North 26
    15 September 2015 at 6:51 am

    I wonder does Turnbull play golf…….does he know Richie ?

  27. Ad 27
    15 September 2015 at 6:58 am

    This is an extremely well timed shift in Australasian power for the Paris Climate Change talks coming up. Remember, Turnbull was axed from the leadership of the Liberals last time because he vehemently wanted to support the Labour Government in its carbon tax programme. After he was thrown out, he wrote an excoriating condemnation of Abbott and the Liberal’s stance on climate change, saying:

    “While a shadow minister, Tony Abbott, was never afraid of speaking bluntly in a manner that was at odds with Coalition policy. So as I am a humble backbencher I am sure he won’t complain if I tell a few home truths about the farce that the Coalition’s policy, or lack of policy, on climate change has descended into.

    “… any suggestion that you can dramatically cut emissions without any cost is, to use a favourite term of Mr Abbott, ‘bullshit’. Moreover he knows it.”

    That’s only a snippet of it.

    So while he may well praise our Prime Minister John Key for his communicative clarity, Key as the vastly junior partner is going to have to come up with something that looks pretty damn credible for the Paris talks, or be vastly out of step with Australia as our regional leader.

  28. millsy 28
    15 September 2015 at 7:15 am

    Turnbull’s background is very similar to Key — single parent family, modest background, self made millionaire, poses as a party moderate..

    He is even (supposedly) an all round likeable chap, who one would have a beer with, apparently. He will probably implement his government’s plans more slowly and subtly rather than ram it through with brute force like Abbott and Hockey.

    I fear the Coalition has just won the 2016 (and possible the 2019) election.

    • Tracey 28.1
      15 September 2015 at 9:22 am

      white, male and middle class who thinks he had no privileges

      • adam 28.1.1
        15 September 2015 at 9:45 am

        Funny how that sentence sends chills up my spin Tracey. The same self styled mad men are in charge all across the western world.

        • vto 28.1.1.1
          15 September 2015 at 10:31 am

          Yep, evil white men. Keep up the good bigotry.

          • Tracey 28.1.1.1.1
            15 September 2015 at 10:41 am

            Except Turnbull is white, male, middle class and stated he has not had a privileged upbringing. So, factual too vto.

            • vto 28.1.1.1.1.1
              15 September 2015 at 11:19 am

              What is factual is the bigotry and prejudice shown against white people and male people…

              Tracey you would be first to complain if someone referenced Helen Clark’s womanly nature in a negative context, and so too you would be if someone referenced Obama’s blackness in a negative context.

              SNAFU lady, SNAFU

              • Tracey …
                15 September 2015 at 11:28 am

                womanly nature?

                lady?

                Are you white and male per chance? Genuine question.

                Prejudice against white men? It’s not reflected in salaries or job opportunites vto.

                • vto …
                  15 September 2015 at 11:40 am

                  Don’t you like the words “womanly nature” and “lady”?

                  Exhibited in the comments of you and Adam above is clear prejudgment about Turnbull on the basis of his race and his gender. Mind you – to be expected of a white middle class lefty woman in aotearoa.

  29. Wairua 29
    15 September 2015 at 8:16 am

    Aotearoa is run by a former head of Merrill,
    Australia by a former head of Goldman Sachs.

    They will be breaking out California Red in Canberra.

  30. swordfish 30
    15 September 2015 at 8:56 am

    I’ve been critical of Phil Quin over the last few days, but the bloke does have his uses at times. Having been thoroughly immersed in Aussie Labour politics, he has one or two interesting insights (albeit from the jaundiced eye of the ALP factional Right).

    On Turnbull, he’s tweeted “Turnbull is a (sic) far better attuned than Abbott to the Australian political centre, but carries more than a touch of Rudditis. Very mockable.” (referring, of course, to our Kevie).

    Followed by “Rudditis: rapacious ego layered atop insatiable adulation cravings encased in a thin skin.”

    • Tracey 30.1
      15 September 2015 at 9:23 am

      ““Rudditis: rapacious ego layered atop insatiable adulation cravings encased in a thin skin.””

      And yet here we love that in our leader…

  31. The Lone Haranguer 31
    15 September 2015 at 9:02 am

    Millsy & Wairau, my thoughts exactly.

    Theres an irony in the right putting in a more re-electable business leader at the bottom of the South Pacific at the same time that the British are putting in the complete opposite at Labour. (and the US Democrats might even do the same with Bernie Sanders if they are smart)

    So its big business verses the little guy. Clearly one option will be the winning one, and one will not be, but we will have to wait and see whats cooking at the electorate level to get the result.

    So far I would say its big business 2, and little guys 0. Tsipras in Greece really failed in his fight and Maduro is fighting major headwinds too as Chavez did before him.

    Perhaps theres a better way to fight the power of the banking sector?

  32. Tracey 32
    15 September 2015 at 9:20 am

    Be careful what you wish for

    ” government” committed to freedom, the individual and the market” Turnbull September 2015

    55-44 is NOT resounding.

    • adam 32.1
      15 September 2015 at 9:49 am

      No the numbers say one thing – fear.

      The liberals are scared they going to fall over.

      They get laughed at on the streets.

      Personally, that is what we should be doing to national,stop the name calling.

      When ever you see a minister. Just start laughing at them.

  33. travellerev 33
    15 September 2015 at 10:26 am

    WTF? They’re even calling him the Smiling Assassin!
    Goldman Sachs Banker And The Smiling Assassin Number 2? You Can’t Make This Shit Up!
    But conspiring? Neh. Our governments loves us and we have real democracies!

  34. Rodel 34
    15 September 2015 at 11:21 am

    OK Bill.It’s your turn now…….

    Bill?…Judith?……Stephen?…Nuk?….anyone?…

  35. Chris 35
    15 September 2015 at 1:46 pm

    Key’s comments near the end of the clip about how the camera never lies and that the public know when a politician doesn’t believe what they say, and that NZers have low expectations of their government and prime ministers:

    https://nz.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/29527588/key-offers-congratulations-to-turnbull/#page1

  36. tc 36
    15 September 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Fear wins. Abbott carried a real fear they’d possibly loose to Bill shortens labour next election.

    Also Abbott and hockey have been fn useless and done nothing so no choice for the backers really.

  37. upnorth 37
    15 September 2015 at 10:39 pm

    why do people allways want me to pay for everything i only earn 70k and two kids. the standard always want everyone to pay