By JESSE GRAHAM
AUSTRALIA has a new leader after a leadership spill at Parliament House last night brought forth Malcolm Turnbull as the 29th Prime Minister of Australia.
Former-McEwen MP Fran Bailey has welcomed the announcement and said Mr Turnbull’s leadership will open up the “broad church” of the Liberal Party to voters.
Mr Turnbull won a Liberal partyroom vote against former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with 55 votes to 44, with the winner being announced after 10pm on Monday 14 September.
Deputy leader and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop retained her post in the spill, winning the spot with 70 votes to 30 against Kevin Andrews.
Former-McEwen MP Fran Bailey said that, while she did not usually comment on politics, the leadership spill was a “very significant move”.
“I think that what people have been looking for is what I would deem as a return to true Liberal politics and philosophy and I think (with) Malcolm Turnbull’s return as leader that a lot of people will be heartened by that,” she said.
When asked whether Mr Turnbull’s more left-leaning stance on issues could isolate conservative voters, particularly in the Yarra Valley, Ms Bailey said the Liberal Party was a “broad church”.
“I think that John Howard referred to the Liberal Party as a ‘broad church’ and John Howard practiced what he preached,” she said.
“He was an inclusive politician and that’s certainly what Malcolm Turnbull is promising to be.
“And, to get the very best outcome, you have to garner the talents and the ideas of everyone in the party, not just a section of the party.”
Ms Bailey said the change in leadership may also win over swinging voters who remain unsure of which party to support.
She added that Ms Bishop staying in her post as Deputy Leader was a “very good” result.
“I think Julie is a very able person – I sat next to Julie on the front bench for three and a half years, so I got to know her very well,” she said.
“She is a very dedicated, very hardworking MP and she would not have taken the decision that she did yesterday lightly.
“She has been a very loyal deputy now, to four leaders, and I think it’s significant that she, obviously, has not been seeking any additional promotions for herself.”
The Mail’s Facebook users were less certain about the leadership spill, with many expressing their opinions about the result.
“Why do we have elections, these politicians just do what they want anyway,” Michelle Cooper wrote.
“Makes Australia look like a laughing stock to the rest of the world.”
“We (Australians) were laughing stock internationally before with Tony Abbott at the helm from his constant blunders and backwards policies,” Lisa Lawther wrote on the post.
“My hope is that Turnbull brings some substance and eloquence to the role and, just maybe, a little heart.”
“Ridiculous. We must look like a joke to the rest of the world,” Stacey Kinsmore wrote.
Others decided not to mince their words.
“Same s**t, new shovel!” one commenter wrote.
While one commenter questioned “why do we have elections? I didn’t vote for Turnbull!”, others pointed out that people vote for a party and local MPs who then choose their own leader.
Prime Minister delegate Turnbull is expected to be sworn in later today, and is also expected announce his new cabinet.
The Mail has contacted the office of Tony Smith for comment about the new leadership.
What are your thoughts about Australia’s new Prime Minister? Leave a comment below or send a letter to the editor at editor@mailnewsgroup.com.au.
