By JESSE GRAHAM
CASEY MP Tony Smith has refused to declare which way he voted in last week’s Liberal Party leadership spill, which saw Malcolm Turnbull become Prime Minister.
Labor Party candidate for Casey, Hovig Melkonian, has dismissed the spill and said the move has changed “the salesman” – not what’s for sale.
On Monday, 14 September, Malcolm Turnbull defeated former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a leadership spill, 54 votes to 44.
Deputy leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop retained her post in the spill, winning the spot with 70 votes to 30 against Kevin Andrews.
Much of the week that followed was filled with speculation as to how the new Prime Minister would settle in to the role, and whether much would change within the government.
The Mail spoke to Casey MP and Speaker, Tony Smith, about the spill on Friday, 18 September, but Mr Smith refused to comment on which way he voted in the ballot.
“Some colleagues have chosen to say the way they voted – some haven’t,” he said.
“I’m one of the ones who haven’t.
“It’s over, the partyroom has made its decision, and now it’s important that we get on with it, for the good of the country.”
Though Mr Smith does not attend weekly party room meetings while in his role as speaker, he said he did attend the leadership vote and had a vote on the leader and deputy leader positions.
Opinion polls immediately following the change of leadership appeared to show a turnaround for the Coalition, which PM Turnbull said had lost 30 consecutive Newspolls – but Mr Smith again refused to comment.
“I always find these issues interesting, but I’m not a commentator on them,” he said.
Casey candidate for Labor, Hovig Melkonian, told the Mail that he thought the change would be of little effect in the long run, though he said the party should not have changed its leader.
“They haven’t changed anything fundamental about the policy of the Liberal Party,” he said.
“I suppose it’s only a new salesman to peddle the same product.
“I think that if you take a leader to an election, you should stick with that person.”
Asked how he felt about next year’s Federal Election in the face of the Coalition’s improved standing, Mr Melkonian said he was “not focused on the polls”.
“I’m realistic about my chances,” he said.
“However, it’s about holding the Liberal Party and holding Tony Smith to account, and ensuring the people of Casey get a good deal, and ensuring their interests are represented in the parliament.”
Former McEwen MP, Fran Bailey, said the change of leadership 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 Malcolm Turnbull’s return as leader … I think 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.”
Mail readers took to a post about the new Prime Minister to express their views, which ranged from hopeful, to bemused, to disappointed.
What are your thoughts about Australia’s new Prime Minister? Send a letter to the editor at editor@mailnewsgroup.com.au or 244 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
