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Liberal leadership spill: Malcolm Turnbull ousts Tony Abbott as Australian PM – as it happened
Liberal leadership spill: Malcolm Turnbull ousts Tony Abbott as Australian PM – as it happened
(6 days later)
3.03pm BST
3.03pm BST
15:03
15:03
Good night and good luck
Good night and good luck
Bless the talents of Mike Bowers. Here’s a portrait of a man who knew he wouldn’t be prime minister by close of business. For the men who chase and strive and strain and plot and scheme to be prime minister their whole lives, the dread of this knowledge is almost intolerable.
Bless the talents of Mike Bowers. Here’s a portrait of a man who knew he wouldn’t be prime minister by close of business. For the men who chase and strive and strain and plot and scheme to be prime minister their whole lives, the dread of this knowledge is almost intolerable.
It was a brutal night. The fact Tony Abbott has visited this very same night on opponents: Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard – would give him not one iota of comfort. What goes around comes around is soothing in theory and searing in practice. One minute you are in the office, and the next you are not.
It was a brutal night. The fact Tony Abbott has visited this very same night on opponents: Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard – would give him not one iota of comfort. What goes around comes around is soothing in theory and searing in practice. One minute you are in the office, and the next you are not.
It’s been a very long day, and Gabi, Mike and I thank you for your wonderful company over the last ... however many hours it’s been.
It’s been a very long day, and Gabi, Mike and I thank you for your wonderful company over the last ... however many hours it’s been.
There is only one thing to know tonight: Tony Abbott, this chap pictured above, was the prime minister at the start of the day, and he’s packing up his office now day is done. He’s folding that self into a box.
There is only one thing to know tonight: Tony Abbott, this chap pictured above, was the prime minister at the start of the day, and he’s packing up his office now day is done. He’s folding that self into a box.
Liberalism has dawned. Disruption has dawned. Trust us, there will be all kinds of mayhem, and we look forward to bringing that to you live.
Liberalism has dawned. Disruption has dawned. Trust us, there will be all kinds of mayhem, and we look forward to bringing that to you live.
Ms Gabi will be back with the sparrows in the morning times. Sleep well.
Ms Gabi will be back with the sparrows in the morning times. Sleep well.
2.44pm BST
2.44pm BST
14:44
14:44
Some quick analytical thoughts
Some quick analytical thoughts
Malcolm Turnbull has incredible self-belief.
Malcolm Turnbull has incredible self-belief.
He’ll need every ounce of that confidence.
He’ll need every ounce of that confidence.
In the next few days he’s got to select a new ministry that rewards talent and refreshes the government – without buying himself a revenge tragedy with Abbott loyalists. He’s got to land deftly on his feet in order to ensure his audacious bid for the leadership doesn’t sink Andrew Hastie in Canning. He’ll have to pull together a new and expanded back room team. He’ll have to work out a modus operandi with the party’s organisational wing (party director Brian Loughnane’s wife has likely lost her job this evening, in quite brutal circumstances.)
In the next few days he’s got to select a new ministry that rewards talent and refreshes the government – without buying himself a revenge tragedy with Abbott loyalists. He’s got to land deftly on his feet in order to ensure his audacious bid for the leadership doesn’t sink Andrew Hastie in Canning. He’ll have to pull together a new and expanded back room team. He’ll have to work out a modus operandi with the party’s organisational wing (party director Brian Loughnane’s wife has likely lost her job this evening, in quite brutal circumstances.)
Beyond those immediate challenges he takes the party leadership in tricky global economic times, he’s going to have to reframe the entire budget discussion, he’s going to have to work out whether he can genuinely make cabinet government work again (I’d rate that as a very big if.) He’s also going to have to work through relationships with the Nationals, and with conservative elements of the Liberal party. He’s going to have to pretend he likes the government’s climate change policy while working assiduously to make the policy work more in line with his principles, without sparking yet another civil war in the Liberal party.
Beyond those immediate challenges he takes the party leadership in tricky global economic times, he’s going to have to reframe the entire budget discussion, he’s going to have to work out whether he can genuinely make cabinet government work again (I’d rate that as a very big if.) He’s also going to have to work through relationships with the Nationals, and with conservative elements of the Liberal party. He’s going to have to pretend he likes the government’s climate change policy while working assiduously to make the policy work more in line with his principles, without sparking yet another civil war in the Liberal party.
Only Malcolm Turnbull would smile heartily at this prospect.
Only Malcolm Turnbull would smile heartily at this prospect.
Updated
Updated
at 3.06pm BST
at 3.06pm BST
2.28pm BST
2.28pm BST
14:28
14:28
Some of Tuesday's newspaper front pages in Australia. pic.twitter.com/OKsjRHbByt
Some of Tuesday's newspaper front pages in Australia. pic.twitter.com/OKsjRHbByt
2.24pm BST
2.24pm BST
14:24
14:24
2.20pm BST
2.20pm BST
14:20
14:20
Disruption: the new national business
Disruption: the new national business
Malcolm Turnbull:
Malcolm Turnbull:
We have to recognise that the disruption that we see driven by technology, the volatility in change is our friend if we are agile and smart enough to take advantage of it.
We have to recognise that the disruption that we see driven by technology, the volatility in change is our friend if we are agile and smart enough to take advantage of it.
There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian. We will ensure that all Australians understand that their government recognises the opportunities of the future and is putting in place the policies and the plans to enable them to take advantage of it.
There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian. We will ensure that all Australians understand that their government recognises the opportunities of the future and is putting in place the policies and the plans to enable them to take advantage of it.
2.14pm BST
2.14pm BST
14:14
14:14
Will things get vicious? Possibly ..
Will things get vicious? Possibly ..
Liberal Steve Ciobo is on sweep up duty on the ABC’s Lateline program.
Liberal Steve Ciobo is on sweep up duty on the ABC’s Lateline program.
Q: The risk is you get destabilisation within the party from disgruntled supporters of Tony Abbott, indeed potentially Tony Abbott himself if he goes to the backbench. You’ve seen this before in the Labor party. Do you fear that some might look to exact some kind of revenge from the backbench?
Q: The risk is you get destabilisation within the party from disgruntled supporters of Tony Abbott, indeed potentially Tony Abbott himself if he goes to the backbench. You’ve seen this before in the Labor party. Do you fear that some might look to exact some kind of revenge from the backbench?
Steve Ciobo:
Steve Ciobo:
That’s a possibility, I’m not going to pretend that it’s not, but the point I’m stressing to you and the point that I made in response to your first question. The partyroom has spoken in an overwhelming sense. There’s a clear consensus this is the new direction going forward.
That’s a possibility, I’m not going to pretend that it’s not, but the point I’m stressing to you and the point that I made in response to your first question. The partyroom has spoken in an overwhelming sense. There’s a clear consensus this is the new direction going forward.
2.10pm BST
2.10pm BST
14:10
14:10
The Adelaide Advertiser is telling us Christopher Pyne, currently education minister, and leader of the government in the house, has a new job.
The Adelaide Advertiser is telling us Christopher Pyne, currently education minister, and leader of the government in the house, has a new job.
South Australia’s bid to build the Future Submarines has been given a major boost by the Liberal Party’s leadership change, with senior local MP Christopher Pyne tipped to become defence minister in a move sources insist will “deliver” the $50bn build to the state.
South Australia’s bid to build the Future Submarines has been given a major boost by the Liberal Party’s leadership change, with senior local MP Christopher Pyne tipped to become defence minister in a move sources insist will “deliver” the $50bn build to the state.
2.07pm BST
2.07pm BST
14:07
14:07
The word from Tony Abbott’s office is no press conference tonight.
The word from Tony Abbott’s office is no press conference tonight.
Congratulations to Malcolm Turnbull on becoming Prime Minister - a great honour and responsibility. JG
Congratulations to Malcolm Turnbull on becoming Prime Minister - a great honour and responsibility. JG
2.05pm BST
2.05pm BST
14:05
14:05
I suspect that big pitch on liberalism is precisely what Camp Turnbull wants to hear, and precisely what Camp Conservative does not want to hear. The prime minister designate was also entirely too delighted with his moment. It’s going to be a rough few days, and a rough few months if Turnbull can’t remember to turn his volume down.
I suspect that big pitch on liberalism is precisely what Camp Turnbull wants to hear, and precisely what Camp Conservative does not want to hear. The prime minister designate was also entirely too delighted with his moment. It’s going to be a rough few days, and a rough few months if Turnbull can’t remember to turn his volume down.
1.58pm BST
1.58pm BST
13:58
13:58
Questions.
Questions.
Will you serve a full term? Turnbull says that’s his expectation. Which of course is not a definitive answer.
Will you serve a full term? Turnbull says that’s his expectation. Which of course is not a definitive answer.
Will there be changes in policy? Turnbull says the big change is he won’t run the prime ministership as a presidency. Cabinet government is back. Collegiality is back. (I’m sure until the first cabinet leak. Then the bunker tends to come back. But let’s be upbeat and let Malcolm Turnbull tell us government in Australia has turned a corner.) There will be changes to the ministry.
Will there be changes in policy? Turnbull says the big change is he won’t run the prime ministership as a presidency. Cabinet government is back. Collegiality is back. (I’m sure until the first cabinet leak. Then the bunker tends to come back. But let’s be upbeat and let Malcolm Turnbull tell us government in Australia has turned a corner.) There will be changes to the ministry.
How will he reassure people in the party room who don’t like him? A culture of engagement, of consultation, of collaboration is so absolutely critical.
How will he reassure people in the party room who don’t like him? A culture of engagement, of consultation, of collaboration is so absolutely critical.
What will he do on same sex marriage and climate policy? On climate Turnbull says follow the existing policy. Bishop digs him in further by saying Australia has already set its post 2020 target. He doesn’t address same sex marriage.
What will he do on same sex marriage and climate policy? On climate Turnbull says follow the existing policy. Bishop digs him in further by saying Australia has already set its post 2020 target. He doesn’t address same sex marriage.
1.52pm BST
1.52pm BST
13:52
13:52
Julie Bishop takes up the theme. The Liberals are back in command of the ship.
Julie Bishop takes up the theme. The Liberals are back in command of the ship.
Julie Bishop:
Julie Bishop:
I have served as the deputy for eight years and I have also for the last two years had the honour of being Australia’s foreign minister. I’m excited about continuing to serve as the deputy under Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership and I am thrilled at the prospect of continuing to serve the Australian people as the foreign minister.
I have served as the deputy for eight years and I have also for the last two years had the honour of being Australia’s foreign minister. I’m excited about continuing to serve as the deputy under Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership and I am thrilled at the prospect of continuing to serve the Australian people as the foreign minister.
I came into the Liberal party and came into parliament because I believed in the values of the Liberal party, because I believe that they provide the most hope for the most people in this country and as a believer in the Liberal party that was created by Robert Menzies I am furthermore of the view that the values and beliefs of the Liberal party are as relevant today as they were when this great party was formed seven years ago.
I came into the Liberal party and came into parliament because I believed in the values of the Liberal party, because I believe that they provide the most hope for the most people in this country and as a believer in the Liberal party that was created by Robert Menzies I am furthermore of the view that the values and beliefs of the Liberal party are as relevant today as they were when this great party was formed seven years ago.
In Malcolm Turnbull, we have a leader who will be true to those Menzian values and beliefs and I’ll be honoured to serve this party and this country in my current role.
In Malcolm Turnbull, we have a leader who will be true to those Menzian values and beliefs and I’ll be honoured to serve this party and this country in my current role.
1.48pm BST
1.48pm BST
13:48
13:48
He's baaaaack ..
He's baaaaack ..
The prime minister designate is at the podium. He says this has been a very important day in the life of the nation, the government and the Liberal party. There is great debt owed to Tony Abbott and the Abbott family. The achievements of the government he has led has been formidable, Malcolm Turnbull says.
The prime minister designate is at the podium. He says this has been a very important day in the life of the nation, the government and the Liberal party. There is great debt owed to Tony Abbott and the Abbott family. The achievements of the government he has led has been formidable, Malcolm Turnbull says.
Malcolm Turnbull:
Malcolm Turnbull:
The burden of leadership is avery heavy one. Tony has discharged that as leader of the party and, of course, as Prime Minister over many years now – and the achievements of the government that he has led have been formidable.
The burden of leadership is avery heavy one. Tony has discharged that as leader of the party and, of course, as Prime Minister over many years now – and the achievements of the government that he has led have been formidable.
The free trade agreements that have been negotiated represent some of the key foundations of our future prosperity which I’ll talk about in a moment. And, of course, restoring the security on our borders has been an extraordinarily important step enabling us, for example, to offer the increased and generous arrangements for Syrian refugees last week. So I want to thank Tony very much indeed for that.
The free trade agreements that have been negotiated represent some of the key foundations of our future prosperity which I’ll talk about in a moment. And, of course, restoring the security on our borders has been an extraordinarily important step enabling us, for example, to offer the increased and generous arrangements for Syrian refugees last week. So I want to thank Tony very much indeed for that.
This has been a very important, sobering experience today. I’m very humbled by it. I’m very humbled by the great honour and responsibility that has been given to me today. We need to have in this country and we will have now, an economic vision, a leadership that explains the great challenges and opportunities that we face.
This has been a very important, sobering experience today. I’m very humbled by it. I’m very humbled by the great honour and responsibility that has been given to me today. We need to have in this country and we will have now, an economic vision, a leadership that explains the great challenges and opportunities that we face.
This will be a thoroughly Liberal government. It will be a thoroughly liberal government committed to freedom, the individual and the market.
This will be a thoroughly Liberal government. It will be a thoroughly liberal government committed to freedom, the individual and the market.
It’ll be focussed on ensuring that in the years ahead as the world becomes more and more competitive and greater opportunities arise, we are able to take advantage of that.
It’ll be focussed on ensuring that in the years ahead as the world becomes more and more competitive and greater opportunities arise, we are able to take advantage of that.
The Australia of the future has to be a nation that is agile, that is innovative, that is creative. We can’t be defensive, we can’t future proof ourselves. We have to recognise that the disruption that we see driven by technology, the volatility in change is our friend if we are agile and smart enough to take advantage of it.
The Australia of the future has to be a nation that is agile, that is innovative, that is creative. We can’t be defensive, we can’t future proof ourselves. We have to recognise that the disruption that we see driven by technology, the volatility in change is our friend if we are agile and smart enough to take advantage of it.
There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian.
There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian.
Updated
Updated
at 2.01pm BST
at 2.01pm BST
1.38pm BST
1.38pm BST
13:38
13:38
View from the podium #BlueRoom #waitingfor Malcolm @murpharoo @GuardianAus http://t.co/mc9NGL2osW pic.twitter.com/8FrPlL6R75
View from the podium #BlueRoom #waitingfor Malcolm @murpharoo @GuardianAus http://t.co/mc9NGL2osW pic.twitter.com/8FrPlL6R75
1.31pm BST
1.31pm BST
13:31
13:31
Looks like we’ll get the prime minister designate and his deputy first. They will address reporters in ten minutes.
Looks like we’ll get the prime minister designate and his deputy first. They will address reporters in ten minutes.
1.27pm BST
1.27pm BST
13:27
13:27
Happiness. Straight down the lens of Mike Bowers’s camera.
Happiness. Straight down the lens of Mike Bowers’s camera.
Updated
Updated
at 1.31pm BST
at 1.31pm BST
1.21pm BST
1.21pm BST
13:21
13:21
Once was prime minister, leaving the scene of the defeat.
Once was prime minister, leaving the scene of the defeat.
Prime minister designate, Malcolm Turnbull.
Prime minister designate, Malcolm Turnbull.
And Julie Bishop. Deputy. Again. What did Tony Abbott say after he toppled Turnbull in opposition? She’s a loyal girl.
And Julie Bishop. Deputy. Again. What did Tony Abbott say after he toppled Turnbull in opposition? She’s a loyal girl.
Updated
Updated
at 1.32pm BST
at 1.32pm BST
1.14pm BST
1.14pm BST
13:14
13:14
The prime minister designate has invited Tony Abbott to address the media first this evening. Everyone will now have their two bob’s worth, and then I’ll have my two bob’s worth.
The prime minister designate has invited Tony Abbott to address the media first this evening. Everyone will now have their two bob’s worth, and then I’ll have my two bob’s worth.
Julia Gillard’s former speech writer, Michael Cooney, who famously penned the words “we are us” in one of the former prime minister’s speeches (at a Labor party conference, to describe the fractious Labor party to itself) – to great infamy – sums up tonight thus.
Julia Gillard’s former speech writer, Michael Cooney, who famously penned the words “we are us” in one of the former prime minister’s speeches (at a Labor party conference, to describe the fractious Labor party to itself) – to great infamy – sums up tonight thus.
They are us
They are us
He means the government – they are just like Labor from the Rudd/Gillard era.
He means the government – they are just like Labor from the Rudd/Gillard era.
That’s Tony Abbott’s big choice now. To take it on the chin, or to take it like Kevin Rudd.
That’s Tony Abbott’s big choice now. To take it on the chin, or to take it like Kevin Rudd.
Updated
Updated
at 1.33pm BST
at 1.33pm BST
1.04pm BST
1.04pm BST
13:04
13:04
Dignity, always dignity.
Dignity, always dignity.
Poor Rupert has lost his man this evening.
Poor Rupert has lost his man this evening.
Sad to see such a decent man as Abbott toppled. Now Turnbull needs a November election before Labor sacks Shorten.
Sad to see such a decent man as Abbott toppled. Now Turnbull needs a November election before Labor sacks Shorten.
1.02pm BST
1.02pm BST
13:02
13:02
Leave no tiny detail to chance.
Leave no tiny detail to chance.
Malcolm Turnbull's wikipedia page has already been updated to describe him as Australia's Prime Minister-designate. pic.twitter.com/qsAjlgAswV
Malcolm Turnbull's wikipedia page has already been updated to describe him as Australia's Prime Minister-designate. pic.twitter.com/qsAjlgAswV
12.52pm BST
12.52pm BST
12:52
12:52
Another PM cut down in his first term.
Another PM cut down in his first term.
Australia has a new prime minister.
Australia has a new prime minister.
Stay with us. It’s quite a night.
Stay with us. It’s quite a night.
12.50pm BST
12.50pm BST
12:50
12:50
Julie Bishop has prevailed as deputy, 70 votes to Kevin Andrews 30 votes.
Julie Bishop has prevailed as deputy, 70 votes to Kevin Andrews 30 votes.
12.49pm BST
12.49pm BST
12:49
12:49
Malcolm Turnbull wins
Malcolm Turnbull wins
Folks, we have a winner.
Folks, we have a winner.
In the leadership, Malcolm Turnbull: 54, Tony Abbott, 44.
In the leadership, Malcolm Turnbull: 54, Tony Abbott, 44.
Updated
Updated
at 12.50pm BST
at 12.50pm BST
12.48pm BST
12.48pm BST
12:48
12:48
As well as avoiding giving you spin from either side, I’m avoiding analysis until after the result. I’m sure it’s pretty obvious to readers of Politics Live that this is the ultimate high stakes game. Only one person is coming out as prime minister.
As well as avoiding giving you spin from either side, I’m avoiding analysis until after the result. I’m sure it’s pretty obvious to readers of Politics Live that this is the ultimate high stakes game. Only one person is coming out as prime minister.
12.43pm BST
12.43pm BST
12:43
12:43
Click click click. More entrances.
Click click click. More entrances.
12.38pm BST
12:38
Just to get our collective heads into gear. Our magic number this evening? There’s 99 votes in the room.
12.35pm BST
12:35
You talking to me, punk? Check out the expression on Tony Abbott’s face in this official record of proceedings.
Mike Bowers is down there. Click click click.
12.31pm BST
12:31
You #libspill people need to calm down.
Abbott looked confident for mine. #LibSpill pic.twitter.com/aCizcUuk7m
12.24pm BST
12:24
Some people are so rude.
BREAKING: Surprise candidate has just appeared in the corridors. #libspill pic.twitter.com/gY5gWrv91F
12.22pm BST
12:22
Tony Abbott walks into #libspill #auspol pic.twitter.com/QwpQVlzNSr
12.16pm BST
12:16
The prime minister’s walk is a show of strength. Abbott has Mathias Cormann on one side and Josh Frydenberg on the other. It’s a big group. Peter Dutton, Greg Hunt, Alan Tudge.
12.13pm BST
12:13
Malcolm Turnbull is making his entrance flanked by Arthur Sinodinos, Scott Ryan, Mitch Fifield, Wyatt Roy, Mal Brough and Peter Hendy.
Julie Bishop has walked in solo.
12.05pm BST
12:05
I am deliberately ignoring spin from both sides right now about the back-of-the-envelope number counts. One thing is true. Everyone is lying. Let’s wait for a clear result rather than fall into anyone’s strategy.
12.00pm BST
12:00
MPs are starting to roll in to their party room meeting.
Government whip Andrew Nikolic arrives with the ballot boxes for the Liberal party leadership spill #auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/aiwANdoVt0
Folks away from parliament this evening are not going to make it back in time.
Updated
at 12.02pm BST
11.55am BST
11:55
Battle is much worse: Andrew Hastie
The ABC has found the Liberal candidate for Canning, Andrew Hastie. These events are doubtless highly inconvenient for a man trying to win a seat in parliament this coming weekend. I’m going up a gear now for Canning, the former soldier says.
Look out Canning.
Andrew Hastie:
I’d just like to make a brief statement. People have called me today worried about this by-election, that somehow events in Canberra have made my job more difficult. And believe me, in my previous career I’ve experienced much worse. Much worse.
In fact, I’m going up a gear now for the people of Canning. This by-election is not about political games, it’s about the people of Canning and they’re losing faith in the political class. I don’t stand before you as a former political hack looking for a cushy seat in parliament. I’ve served my country overseas and I fought for the freedom that makes this country great and in the same way that I served overseas, I will serve the people of Canning.
My values are of the Australian Defence Force and those values have been honed and tested on the battlefield. Those values are needed now. They are honour, integrity, commitment, respect,compassion and service. The people of Canning expect that in their local leader and I hope to give it to them.
This morning when I was asked do I support the PM, I said I do. I support the Prime Minister. Throughout this campaign I’ve enjoyed the support of Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop, Mathias Cormann, Michael Keenan, Bruce Billson and my good friend David Johnston.
I stand before you as a candidate who enjoys the support of the Liberal Party and they know full well that the people of Canning come first. I’m looking forward, if elected, to working closely with my parliamentary colleagues to make Australia, but more importantly, Canning right now better for the people of Canning.
I stand before you as a candidate seeking office. I’m not elected. I hope to be on Saturday. I’m not a parliamentarian and I don’t enjoy the privileges of the Liberal parliamentary team.
The decision on the leadership tonight is for them and for them alone.
It is their responsibility and their privilege and I ask them to consider carefully the decision they make.
11.43am BST
11:43
Reverse ferret. The Buchholz office confirms the tweet from the whip was incorrect. It is a meeting of the Liberal party room. Just as well. Wasn’t quite sure how the Nationals would get a vote.
11.41am BST
11:41
Hang on, joint party room?
This should be the Liberal party room, surely.
We’ll clarify.
11.39am BST
11:39
The whips have it.
Joint party room meeting tonight, 9.15pm.
11.38am BST
11:38
The Scott Morrison quote I shared earlier on from Nine Network journalist Lauren Gianoli – the social services minister is voting for Tony Abbott, and not standing in any ballots – has been confirmed by the minister’s office.
My colleague Shalailah Medhora has also pulled together a timeline of a challenge – from the election victory through til tonight, if you are in a frame of mind to review.
The time of the partyroom meeting is now confirmed: 9.15pm.
11.24am BST
11:24
Still no official time for this party room meeting. I believe there are a couple of absences. The Liberal senator Dean Smith is flying back from West Australia as we speak – he’s due in after 10pm. Another senator, Michael Ronaldson, is not in town either.
11.16am BST
11:16
As we now have video, and in the event you missed Turnbull declaring himself for the leadership this afternoon – here is Malcolm Turnbull’s pitch for the prime ministership.
My colleague, Guardian Australia political editor Lenore Taylor has written an essay on the challenger – three things we need to know about Malcolm Turnbull.
For the most part the past six years have been an odyssey of self-discipline, of learning to bite his tongue and stick either to his communications portfolio or the Coalition script, whatever he thought of its contents.
Six years of building bridges, and hosting endless backbench dinners, and visiting marginal electorates. A marathon effort in proving to a still deeply-wary party that he could be a team player and perhaps a team leader.
11.08am BST
11:08
Speaking of Strikeforce Tony, the Liberal senator Zed Seselja says he’s confident Tony Abbott has the numbers. He’s just told Sky News he believes the prime minister is in front. No confirmation yet on the timing of the party room meeting.
11.05am BST
11:05
Strikeforce Tony. In pictures.
Updated
at 11.35am BST
11.00am BST
11:00
Nine network journalist Lauren Gianoli has a line from social services ministers Scott Morrison. I’m not sure where Morrison has said this.
I’m voting for the Prime Minister and not standing in any ballots @ScottMorrisonMP
This is what people around the building are saying Morrison will do, but I’ve not yet heard this from the horse’s mouth.
Updated
at 11.31am BST
10.57am BST
10:57
Liberal senator Cory Bernardi and the government whip Andrew Nikolic have both just told the ABC the phones are melting down in their offices. The base is rallying for Tony. It’s a rally out there.
10.53am BST
10:53
We have to replace Tony Abbott because he was the one who told the lies to the voters. No fist in a velvet glove tonight, anywhere – it’s free character advice at 20 paces.
Arthur Sinodinos, in continuation:
What I’ve said is, and we have to be truthful about this, we did break promises and we lost that trust and we need a change of leader to begin the process of regaining the trust of the Australian people.
Updated
at 11.36am BST
10.49am BST
10:49
Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos on the ABC’s 730 Report.
I think we need a change in both the style and the substance of our national leadership. I believe Malcolm Turnbull can bring real substance to the economic debate. He will lead from the front. He has a real passion and commitment about where the jobs of the future are going tocome from. He understands economics. He understands building businesses. He understands the way the world works.
10.48am BST
10:48
While I’m in recap mode, and if you are just tuning in – here is the prime minister’s pitch earlier this evening.
10.44am BST
10:44
Ok, let’s take stock very quickly before powering on. What does the last hour or so mean?
Updated
at 10.51am BST
10.33am BST
10:33
That was quite a press conference from Kevin Andrews: I might be Tony Abbott’s deputy, stay tuned; I might serve as defence minister under Malcolm Turnbull.
It really is that kind of night.
I’m going to draw this together slightly for us all in the next post.
10.31am BST
10:31
The defence minister, Kevin Andrews, is looking ... well ... agitated. He’s normally the opposite of agitated.
Kevin Andrews:
Tony Abbott is a fighter. He gives to the Liberal Party, to my marginal seat colleagues and indeed to the people who support the Liberal Party right throughout Australia the absolute best chance of winning the next election. On the other hand, Mr Turnbull has never fought an election as leader. He talks today about being behind in the Newspolls. Don’t forget that he never actually won a Newspoll when he was the leader. So I say again to my colleagues we have a clear choice tonight. Do we want a leader who gives us the best chance of winning the next election? Or do we want someone whose focus seems to have been almost entirely on himself and in undermining the government?
Q: Minister, why are you telling this all of to the nation instead of simply your colleagues? Aren’t you tearing down a possible future Turnbull prime ministership?
I suspect I’m talking to all of my colleagues right now.
Q: Will you stand down if Malcolm Turnbull ...?
I’m not going to hypotheticals beyond a vote tonight. I’m confident that Tony Abbott will win and I say to all of my colleagues again, who do you think in your heart is the best person to win the election? Who do you think onthe basis of their record is the best person to take us tothe next election? Who is the fighter? Who will mobilise our base? Who will mobilise those thousands, tens of thousands I suspect of people who have been phoning and emailing colleagues tonight? I think the answer is quite simply Tony Abbott.
Q: Mr Andrews, would you stand for deputy leader were that position to become vacant?
Well, at this stage that hasn’t occurred so I’m not going to comment on something which is merely speculative.
Q: Would he stay on as defence minister?
I have enjoyed the job as defence minister. I would be happy to continue the job as defence minister in the right circumstances.
Updated
at 11.37am BST
10.20am BST
10:20
Hollerin’ Hockey, showing Warren Truss how it’s done.
10.17am BST
10:17
I’m told Truss had to give that statement twice. The first time, the parliamentary broadcasting service didn’t turn on broadcast.
Bit of a bother, that. Talking to yourself.
Here’s our philosophical question for Monday evening. If you endorse Tony Abbott and no-one can hear you, are you endorsing Tony Abbott?
10.14am BST
10:14
Truss: my Coalition agreement is with Tony Abbott
You’d expect to see these guys out: they are Abbott’s Praetorian guard.
You’d also expect Nationals leader Warren Truss to speak up for Tony. He’s just met that expectation.
Warren Truss:
We welcome his continuing commitment to work with the Nationals on matters of importance, particularly to regional Australia. My Coalition agreement is with Tony Abbott. While the leadership is a choice for the Liberals, any change would require a new Coalition agreement and a new message of support to the governor general from me. It’s been a tough couple of years in government, and no one said it was going to be easy.
The Coalition has worked constructively to deliver better government for all Australians. Tony Abbott has been a very inclusive leader and we’ve achieved a great deal together. The progress and the processes of government have been constructive and well organised. The Nationals have remained steadfast and united in delivering our agenda with new gains for regional Australia, and we want that to continue into the future.
Updated
at 10.17am BST
10.06am BST
10:06
Neither Cormann nor Dutton would answer direct questions about whether they would serve in a Turnbull cabinet.
10.02am BST
10:02
The base of the Liberal party is to the right of centre. That’s why I’m supporting Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton says.
Hand-to-hand combat right now.
Camp Abbott is rolling out these senior ministers one by one to try and create a reverse ferret on the backbench. This is typical leadership spill tactics – it’s all about the appearance of momentum. This “shock and awe” performance from Camp Abbott is about persuading backbenchers.
Finance minister Mathias Cormann is up now, supporting Abbott.
I support the prime minister, I believe he has the support of the party room.
Defence minister Kevin Andrews is about to chime in as well, as it the government senate leader, Eric Abetz.
Updated
at 10.18am BST
9.53am BST
09:53
The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has washed up on Sky News. He says he is not on a leadership ticket with Tony Abbott in tonight’s ballot. Repeat, not on a ticket. Dutton confirms he will support Abbott. He says the antics this afternoon are a disaster for the Liberal candidate in Canning, Andrew Hastie.
Peter Dutton:
Our base strongly supports Tony Abbott. I believe Tony Abbott will continue as leader.
Dutton says his colleague Scott Morrison is not running for any positions.
Updated
at 10.01am BST
9.50am BST
09:50
Joe Hockey:
We have an economic plan that is being delivered and is working, an economy that is $68bn bigger than the one that we inherited. We’ve abolished five Labor taxes and we collect less tax than if Labor were in government. We’ve improved the budget bottom line by $50bn, negotiated three free trade agreements, delivered over $50bn of new infrastructure, but most importantly of all, 300,000 new jobs in Australia since we were elected and jobs growth is running at 10 times the rate per month that we inherited from Labor.
Updated
at 10.19am BST
9.45am BST
09:45
9.41am BST
09:41
Joe Hockey:
The position of prime minister is a gift of you, the Australian people. You have the right to hire and only you have the right to fire.
We cannot, we must not, become a carbon copy of the Labor party. We cannot and we must not make the same mistakes that were made in the Rudd and Gillard years.
TheAustralian people deserve better. We must put the national interest ahead of any self-interest.
The prime minister has my absolute loyalty as I have his.
Thank you very much.
No questions. Hockey is out the door.
9.38am BST
09:38
Joe Hockey: I'm for the plan, and for Tony
We can’t think about a Abbott/Dutton ticket. We need to move on to the treasurer Joe Hockey being cranky with Malcolm Turnbull – principally about Malcolm being nasty about the government’s economic direction this afternoon.
Hockey tells reporters, everything is going marvellously.
Mr Turnbull made a number of claims about economic leadership that are completely unfounded. He has never said to me or to the cabinet that we are heading in the wrong economic direction. The disloyalty of some has been outrageous. We have an economic plan that is being delivered and is working.
Updated
at 9.40am BST
9.35am BST
09:35
Sky News is reporting that Abbott is now presenting himself on a leadership ticket with the immigration minister, Peter Dutton.
9.32am BST
09:32
Updated
at 9.39am BST
9.30am BST
09:30
As we flagged a bit earlier, the treasurer, Joe Hockey, is coming up shortly.
Updated
at 9.34am BST
9.27am BST
09:27
He would fight, of course. That’s what Abbott does.
9.25am BST
09:25
Tony Abbott's pitch, in full
I have been heartened by the messages of support flooding into Liberal MPs’ offices this evening saying most emphatically, “We are not the Labor party.” I want to repeat that. I have been most heartened by the messages of support flooding in to Liberal MPs’ offices saying most emphatically, “We are not the Labor party.”
This country needs strong and stable government and that means avoiding, at all costs, Labor’s revolving-door prime ministership. Since coming to government, our team has stopped the boats, improved the budget, cut taxes and increased jobs. We have laid the foundation for a better deal for families and for small business.
You can trust me to deliver a stronger economy and a safer community.
The prime ministership of this country is not a prize or a plaything to be demanded. It should be something which is earned by a vote of the Australian people.
There will be a party room ballot for both the leadership and deputy leadership positions later this evening. I will be a candidate and I expect to win.
Obviously, I am dismayed by the destabilisation that’s been taking place now for many, many months and I do say to my fellow Liberals that the destabilisation just has to stop.
Let me finish on this note: I firmly believe that our party is better than this, that our government is better than this and, by God, that our country is so much better than this.
Thank you.
Updated
at 9.35am BST
9.19am BST
09:19
Tony Abbott addresses reporters – ballot tonight
I’ve been heartened by the messages of support flooding in to MPs offices saying most emphatically that we are not the Labor party.
Australia needs strong government and that means avoiding all costs Labor’s revolving-door prime ministership.
You can trust me to deliver a stronger economy and a safer community.
The prime ministership of this country is not a prize or a plaything to be demanded. It should be something which is earned by a vote of the Australian people.
The prime minister says there will be a ballot tonight.
I will be a candidate and I expect to win.
9.15am BST
09:15
Two flags, sure, but there can only ever be one Mike Bowers.
Awaiting PM #libspill pic.twitter.com/9qOi14G0uS
Here’s the Politics Live photographer, getting into position to catch Tony Abbott on his way in the door.
9.11am BST
09:11
Ideal time – the evening TV news bulletins can drop Abbott straight into their nightly coverage.
9.10am BST
09:10
This will be a press statement. No questions.
9.05am BST
09:05
The prime minister will address reporters at 6.15pm.
9.04am BST
09:04
The Labor leader Bill Shorten has made a brief statement to the media. Labor has for the last little while been turning its daily attack on Turnbull anticipating that, given everything – the negative poll trend, the obvious break down in relationships between key figures in the government, the poor decisions, the general disquiet – we would ultimately get to the pass this evening.
Shorten has told reporters everyone knows Malcolm Turnbull is ambitious, but he’s ambitious for himself, not our nation.
With Malcolm, it will always be about Malcolm.
Ignore the fighting words. Let’s be quite clear. Tonight is Shorten’s worst nightmare. Doesn’t matter that Turnbull didn’t poll that well when he led the opposition six years ago – Shorten knows Turnbull is capable of pitching to the political centre. He also knows that Australian voters are reluctant to throw out first term governments unless they feel they have no choice.
8.57am BST
08:57
Just while we wait for various confirmations, in the lead up to the leadership spill in February, the one where an empty chair won 39 votes because no candidate stood against Abbott, I wrote an essay about the prime minister.
My thesis was in becoming the man for others – the requirement of his conditioning by the Jesuits – Abbott had lost himself.
For Abbott, on the precipice of fulfilling his destiny in politics, it would have seemed like collegiality, not outright soul-selling, to become a man for Peta and for Brian down in party headquarters, a man for the colleagues, a man for the Liberal party base, a man for Rupert and for Alan Jones and for Ray Hadley (when Scott Morrison wasn’t available) – a man who would validate the various irrationalisms of the wireless ranters and the white male columnists in Rupert’s employ – young and older fogeys who cherish past certainties, and who feel just as ambivalent about the future as Abbott himself feels. Abbott could understand their fair questions and they could then amplify his brilliance and refreshing insight, a nourishing transaction.
This would have felt like duty in the best sense.
If so inclined, you can review that piece here.
8.49am BST
08:49
Some folks in the building think the prime minister will bring on the confrontation over the party leadership this evening. I don’t know yet whether he will or won’t, we will have to wait until he appears. In any case Camp Turnbull is currently relaxed enough not to be spinning themselves as the underdogs.
8.45am BST
08:45
Funny #auspol people on social media have reacted to the developments of the evening with a new hashtag – put out your onions.
#PutOutYourOnions pic.twitter.com/dT6Xx4WZdh
Context required?
For readers outside Australia, and who don’t routinely watch fail videos, Tony Abbott famously ate an onion, skin and all, for reasons no-one can really comprehend.
8.36am BST
08:36
Camp Turnbull is sounding very confident that the numbers are there, regardless of how the prime minister responds this evening. Camp Turnbull is not counting the current treasurer, Joe Hockey’s bloc of votes in their column. Hockey is expected to make a statement shortly after Tony Abbott, backing Tony Abbott.
8.30am BST
08:30
Politics is a cyclical business. Local readers will know that Tony Abbott did exactly the same thing to Malcolm Turnbull in November 2009, back in the glory days of opposition. Abbott quit the frontbench in order to create a domino effect of shadow ministerial resignations that would render Turnbull’s position untenable.
History shows the strategy worked.
Of course that was opposition, not government, less than a week before a major by-election. But in my view – the coup against Turnbull was the moment that sparked the last six years of rolling madness in Australian politics. We have been sprinting behind the madness since that time, only stopping every now and again to catch our collective breath.
8.20am BST
08:20
Q: Is Malcolm Turnbull electable?
Jeff Kennett:
God only knows.
(The field evidence would tend to suggest Turnbull is quite electable, particularly when compared with the current prime minister. But Jeff is pretty cranky. Best let this run its natural course.)
8.17am BST
08:17
The former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has wandered off twitter and onto his phone, live, on ABC News 24:
Jeff Kennett:
I am profoundly disappointed. This is the act of an egotist, a selfish individual who has consistently proved himself not to be a team player but one who pursues self-interest.
There is no “M” in team.
Oh, there is? Yes, of course there is.
8.11am BST
08:11
Again if you are just tuning in, and you missed the press conference from Malcolm Turnbull about an hour ago declaring his intentions, you can review his pitch in full here. If you just want me to give you the short version there was no soft edge – no ‘good government that had lost its way’ – just move over, Tony. You [fill in your preferred terminology here.]
Malcolm Turnbull:
We need a style of leadership ... a style of leadership that respects the people’s intelligence, that explains these complex issues and then sets out the course of action we believe we should take and makes a case for it.
We need advocacy, not slogans. We need to respect the intelligence of the Australian people. Now if we continue with Mr Abbott as prime minister, it is clear enough what will happen. He will cease to be prime minister and he’ll be succeeded by Mr Shorten.
8.02am BST
08:02
Well hello everyone, fancy seeing all of you here ..
Katharine Murphy
Well good evening everyone and welcome. It’s always delightful when Gabrielle Chan and I can be in the same room. Sadly it generally takes leadership challenges to make that happen.
There are some suggestions the prime minister will address reporters shortly.
If you are just tuning in, there’s only one thing you need to know: It’s on. Malcolm Turnbull has met with Tony Abbott and advised him that he will be challenging for the leadership of the Liberal party.
Updated
at 8.06am BST
7.57am BST
07:57
Lenore has been working the phones furiously. She reports that when Julie Bishop saw Tony Abbott before question time to give him the tap, the prime minister was antagonistic and not in the mood to entertain stepping aside.
The Turnbull camp is confident, however, they have the numbers – lest he would not have pulled that pin.
Ministers in support of Turnbull are lined up to resign if Abbott does not agree to a ballot. The mechanism required is a spill motion if Abbott does not agree.
On policy, climate change policy will remain as is while a Turnbull government will stick with a plebiscite though he may differ on timing.
Scott Morrison has remained silent as the sphinx.
Julie Bishop’s support is pivotal to this whole thing.
Now, I will love you and leave you to put my eyeballs in a glass of water. Katharine Murphy is cracking her knuckles in readiness to guide you into the evening. I will see you in the morning.
Updated
at 8.01am BST
7.49am BST
07:49
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett is giving the federal party a little free advice. Read from the top.
1/3Profoundly disappointing. Fed Libs clear majority in Parlt. Now putting self before public interest. Speculation a sign of weakness 2/3
2/3 not strength. When business's or sports bodies challenged they come together to meet the challenge. Fed Libs & Fed ALP continuing a 3/3
3/3 decade of failed leadership. A pox on both your houses until you demonstrate you have Aust rather than your own interest at heart.
7.43am BST
07:43
So to recap, we have a leadership challenge against a first-term prime minister, for the second government running. Turnbull said, during his 4pm statement, that he was going off to make calls.
There is some talk that the ballot will wait until tomorrow morning. Some people are reporting the ballot could be held in the “normal Tuesday meeting”. There was no scheduled Liberal meeting tomorrow morning. There was a National party room meeting this very morning.
Updated
at 7.44am BST
7.37am BST
07:37
David Speers of Sky reports that Tony Abbott called in his most loyal supporters Eric Abetz, Mathias Cormann and Kevin Andrews to consult and prepare for his campaign.
7.35am BST
07:35
If we wait, we will get no clear air.
7.33am BST
07:33
We need a style of leadership that explains those challenges and opportunities.
Updated
at 7.37am BST
7.31am BST
07:31
Tony Abbott’s office has not formally given a time for a party room meeting.
Cabinet – due this afternoon – is obviously called off. As is the full ministry meeting.
Updated
at 7.32am BST
7.28am BST
07:28
Graham Morris, Liberal strategist, predicts on Sky that Tony Abbott’s leadership is in “awful trouble”.
More than likely at the moment we will have a new prime minister.
7.27am BST
07:27
So the pitch from Malcolm Turnbull, to summarise, is:
It ticks all the boxes on discontent with Abbott’s leadership and has been finely tuned.
7.18am BST
07:18
Malcolm Turnbull to challenge Tony Abbott for the prime ministership.
Here is Lenore’s snap.
Malcolm Turnbull will challenge Tony Abbott for the Liberal leadership after the communications minister resigned from cabinet.
Julie Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull are understood to have visited Tony Abbott to say he should stand aside as prime minister.
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop is understood to have visited Abbott before question time. Turnbull visited him after question time.
More ministers and MPs are poised to support Turnbull’s leadership bid.
“A little while ago I met with the prime minister and advised him that I would be challenging him for the leadership of the Liberal party,” Turnbull told reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday.
“This is not a decision that anyone could take lightly.”
Turnbull said he made the decision after consulting with party colleagues and Liberal supporters.
“It is clear enough that the government is not successful in providing the economic leadership that we need,” he said.
Turnbull said he regretted making the decision before the Canning byelection on Saturday.
“There are few occasions that are entirely ideal for tough calls and tough decisions like this,” he said.
The alternative was to wait and allow the government’s problems to “roll on and on and on” without clear air.
7.16am BST
07:16
Malcolm Turnbull walks out to tell the media he is challenging for the leadership @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/wUYNaZn0qO
7.15am BST
07:15
Finally, Malcolm Turnbull said:
Motivated by a commitment to serve the Australian people to ensure that our Liberal values continue to be translated into good government, sound policies, economic confidence creating the jobs and the prosperity of the future. Remember this, the only way, the only way we can ensure that we remain a high wage, generous social welfare net, first-world society is if we have outstanding economic leadership, if we have strong business confidence. That is what we in the Liberal party are bound to deliver and it’s what I am committed to deliver if the party room gives me their support as leader of the party.
Updated
at 7.18am BST
7.12am BST
07:12
Turnbull has a word on Canning and the fact the timing is shocking for that byelection.
There are few occasions that are entirely ideal for tough calls and tough decisions like this. The alternative if we were to wait and this issue, these problems were to roll on and on and on, is we will get no clear air. The fact is we are maybe 10 months, 11 months away from the next election. Every month lost is a month of lost opportunities. We have to make a change for our country’s sake, for the government’s sake, for the party’s sake.
Updated
at 7.18am BST
7.11am BST
07:11
Malcolm Turnbull says it’s clear that people have made up their minds about Tony Abbott’s leadership.
We need an open government, an open government that recognises that there is an enormous sum of wisdom both within our colleagues in this building and, of course, further afield. But above all we have to remember that we have a great example of good cabinet government. John Howard’s government most of us served in and yet few would say that the cabinet government of Mr Abbott bears any similarity to the style of Mr Howard. So that’s what we need to go back to.
Updated
at 7.15am BST
7.08am BST
07:08
Turnbull says Australia needs:
A style of leadership that respects the people’s intelligence, that explains these complex issues and then sets out the course of action we believe we should take and makes a case for it. We need advocacy, not slogans. We need to respect the intelligence of the Australian people. Now if we continue with Mr Abbott as prime minister, it is clear enough what will happen. He will cease to be prime minister and he’ll be succeeded by Mr Shorten. You only have to see the catastrophically reckless approach of Mr Shorten to the China-Australia free trade agreement, surely one of the most important foundations of our prosperity, to know he is utterly unfit to be prime minister of this country and so he will be if we do not make a change.
Updated
at 7.12am BST
7.06am BST
07:06
Turnbull makes his pitch:
Now we are living as Australians in the most exciting time. The big economic changes that we’re living through here and around the world offer enormous challenges and enormous opportunities. And we need a different style of leadership. We need a style of leadership that explains those challenges and opportunities, explains the challenges and how to seize the opportunities.
Updated
at 7.12am BST
7.06am BST
07:06
Turnbull says he does not take the decision likely.
It is clear enough that the government is not successful in providing the economic leadership that we need ... he is not capable of providing the economic confidence that business needs.
Updated
at 7.12am BST
7.04am BST
07:04
Malcolm Turnbull met with Abbott to tell him to challenge for the leadership. He asked for a ballot in the party room.
7.03am BST
07:03
Corridors are buzzing here. Media and members running all over the place.
7.00am BST
07:00
Speculation has started on the numbers. Sky News is reporting that Turnbull has the numbers, especially with the most senior WA member Julie Bishop on board. Her presence and role neutralises possible discontent over blowing this thing up ahead of the Canning byelection. Canning Liberal candidate Andrew Hastie must be increasingly nervous.
6.56am BST
06:56
We are all set for Malcolm Turnbull announcing his challenge of Australia's prime minister pic.twitter.com/x2DI2RRd1P
6.56am BST
06:56
#itson
Updated
at 7.13am BST
6.54am BST
06:54
Mike Bowers prescient photo (at the top of this blog) at the end of question time shows Malcolm Turnbull following Tony Abbott out of the parliament. He obviously followed him straight into the prime ministerial office to deliver the news.
Given Bishop’s meeting was just before question time, I did not see more than a hint of it in Abbott’s face if he knew he was facing a challenge.
Updated
at 7.07am BST
6.51am BST
06:51
Malcolm Turnbull is seeking a party ballot. He will step down from the ministry.
6.49am BST
06:49
Turnbull steps down from the ministry.
Malcolm Turnbull is making a statement in the Senate courtyard. We know that Julie Bishop told Tony Abbott that it’s time to step down. Turnbull spoke to Abbott after question time. Bishop’s meeting happened before question time.
Turnbull has stepped down from the ministry.
Updated
at 6.58am BST
6.46am BST
06:46
It's on. It appears that Malcolm Turnbull will challenge.
He will put up his hand for the leadership with Julie Bishop as deputy.
6.42am BST
06:42
Malcolm Turnbull is making a statement at 4pm.
Hold on to your hats.
6.33am BST
06:33
#CollarDown
Comms. Minister @TurnbullMalcolm leaves #QT with his #CollarDown @GuardianAus @gabriellechan http://t.co/mc9NGL2osW pic.twitter.com/nAgiTAYRIA
Updated
at 6.35am BST
6.21am BST
06:21
Claydon joins Champion and Conroy in leaving the chamber under 94A.
6.18am BST
06:18
Not sure what Bishop is trying to elicit from Truss.
6.16am BST
06:16
Butter wouldn’t melt...
6.14am BST
06:14
QT is over.
Andrew Robb is presenting the 2015 Investment Statement to the house. This was implemented for the first time last year. I’m thinking Chafta.
6.11am BST
06:11
Labor to Abbott: Does the PM stand by his 2002 statement about his personal pick for vice-president of the industrial relations, Michael Lawler, ‘Vice-President Lawler has the human insight, intellectual skills and strength of character to enhance the commission’s work.’ Does the PM retain confidence in Mr Lawler?
Abbott, who appointed Lawler to the position when he was industrial relations minister, says if Labor has a problem, “there are actions they can take”. Abbott does not restate his confidence in Lawler, who is former Health Services Union boss Kathy Jackson’s partner.
6.05am BST
06:05
I’ve got my money on the big bloke.
6.04am BST
06:04
Scott Morrison gets a question on childcare.
6.03am BST
06:03
Shorten to Abbott: When asked about plans to introduce a GP tax before the Griffith byelection, the PM said, ‘Nothing is being considered. Nothing is being proposed. Nothing is planned.’ Given that after the Griffith by-election, the PM decided to stick everyone with a $7 GP tax to visit the doctor, how is those in Canning believe anything the current PM tells them?
Tony Abbott advises Labor they cannot trust their leader Shorten, given he backstabbed two prime ministers. Abbott says he got rid of the anti-WA carbon tax and the mining tax and he stopped the boats. Among other things.
5.58am BST
05:58
Another government question on Chafta to Jamie Briggs, assistant infrastructure minister.
Then Labor to Tony Abbott: The government is cutting some $270m from the Medicare safety net, meaning cancer patients receiving lifesaving radiation oncology could pay less for their treatment. It’s been slated to cut this legislation until after the budget. Isn’t this just another example of the PM hiding cuts before an election and don’t the voters of Canning deserve the truth?
The truth is that when members opposite were in government they cut $1.8bn out of Medicare.
5.53am BST
05:53
Not many smiles on the government benches today.
Immig.Minister Peter Dutton quotes from the Latham Diaries #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus http://t.co/mc9NGL2osW pic.twitter.com/qhaUlRzPCF
5.52am BST
05:52
Anthony Albanese asks Tony Abbott about the Perth gateway project for the Canning byelection yesterday. “How many additional dollars did this Government contribute to fund ing this project?” Albo notes along the way that Abbott’s opening of the gateway project was a tad “pre-emptive”, given its not ready until next year.
(Hint: this was a Labor funded project.)
Abbott says given it was funded out of the mining tax, Labor didn’t fund it either as the mining tax raised nothing. Well, very little.
5.48am BST
05:48
Oh Twitter, how do I love thee?
Smarmy v non-smarmy walkies @gabriellechan @TurnbullMalcolm @MattGlassDarkly @Latte_Bogan pic.twitter.com/Ph2O2lXxGa
5.46am BST
05:46
Labor asks Peter Dutton a question going to his climate change joke. What does the minister say to the resident of the Torres Strait facing the same risks as our Pacific neighbours who are seeking action so migration does not become their only option?
Speaker Smith rules the question out of order.
Labor’s Tony Burke argues the point and Speaker relents. Rephrase is a fair point, he says. Daggers to Smith from the government benches.
Labor’s Mark Butler rephrases. Pyne again objects.
PDuddy has to rise to take the question.
Obviously we work very closely with our near neighbours on a number of issues in relation to the immigration, in particular transnational crime and issues of that nature across the region. So we have very good partnerings, very good relationships an we intend to continue to build on those.
Dutton tries to segue into a character assessment of Shorten, courtesy of The Latham Diaries. Smith tells him not to use props.
Dutton says he “made a comment” for those who took offence at his [climate change] comments.
Speaker Smith, showing increasing resolve, calls Dutton to stay relevant to the question as the immigration minister again strays into a character reference for Shorten. PDuddy sits, with an air of disappointment.
5.39am BST
05:39
There was a question to Barnaby Joyce about the benefits of the Chafta.
5.38am BST
05:38
Tanya Plibersek asks about the Coalition’s policy which requires all agricultural land sales to Chinese buyers over $15m to go to the Foreign Investment Review Board. Labor wants to know why Chile, America and New Zealand have thresholds of $1bn.
Andrew Robb says the three countries mentioned had previous agreements whereas China and all other countries are subject to the new $15m policy.
It was an election commitment.
5.34am BST
05:34
Trade minister Andrew Robb is asked about the China Free Trade Agreement.
Robb says labour market testing is mandatory in the Chafta.
But don’t take my word for it. For the benefit of those opposite who might be listening, senior immigration official David Wilden was asked about these requirements at last week’s JSCOT hearing and he said, ‘If for example you came in as a company wanting to set up an infrastructure project over $150 million, you are then bound by the system that says you absolutely mandatorily have to test the labour market.
5.30am BST
05:30
A question from Labor’s Jason Clare asks Turnbull: I refer to the minister’s responsibility for the ABC. In a press conference broadcast on the ABC the PM is heard saying ‘I am worried about being the best possible PM’. Does the minister really believe that this bloke is the best possible PM and is the minister concerned that the mere broadcast of this trainwreck of a media conference is evidence of the ABC’s breaching its charter.
The question is ruled out of order.
5.28am BST
05:28
More happy campers.
5.27am BST
05:27
Happy campers.
5.26am BST
05:26
Hello Bruce.
5.24am BST
05:24
@gabriellechan @MattGlassDarkly @Latte_Bogan ultimate non smarmy walkies pic.twitter.com/jwYC2VxO22
5.24am BST
05:24
Shorten to Abbott: In the two years since he became PM, unemployment is up, debt and deficit is up, growth is down, confidence is certainly down, is this the record of the best possible PM?
This from a Leader of the Opposition who backstabbed two prime ministers and then lied about it on radio, says Abbott.
5.21am BST
05:21
Ray Hadley has definitely started a thing. Non smarmy walking partners.
@TurnbullMalcolm @gabriellechan Pfft, all the cool kids are walking their cat pic.twitter.com/c5QuikPoHw
5.21am BST
05:21
As Tweep Will Fry says: paper beats rock.
@bobbaldwinmp greets PM Tony Abbott as he arrives for #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus http://t.co/mc9NGL2osW pic.twitter.com/kdLipSwGoq
5.19am BST
05:19
Indi indie Cathy McGowan asks the defence minister Kevin Andrews what is happening with job vacancies at defence establishments in her electorate.
Andrews says there is no jobs freeze in those defence centres.
He said there was a review of defence structure and the defence white paper will also idenitify a new skills areas in defence.
Yes, there’s some stabilisation of the employment trends in defence at the present time.
But there will be new opportunities coming says Andrews.
5.14am BST
05:14
Labor asks Warren Truss, deputy PM, about funding for stage two of the Perth freight link.
Truss says the government is totally committed.
5.12am BST
05:12
Shorten to Abbott: The PM said earlier today, ‘I’m worried about being the best possible PM.’ Can the PM nominate a single person sitting behind him who thinks he is the best possible PM?
Leader of the house Christopher Pyne suggests to Speaker Tony Smith should rule the question out of order.
It is an argument dressed up as a question.
Speaker concurs and the next question goes to the government on infrastructure projects in Western Australia and the importance of the China Free Trade Agreement. *CANNING*
Trussy gets the question.
It’s quite staggering to know that exports to China from WA have increased from $5bn dollars to $64bn dollars in the last decade.
5.08am BST
05:08
Another entry for MT. Go the full anteater.
@MattGlassDarkly @samanthamaiden @TurnbullMalcolm @gabriellechan if youre serious about top job, go the full anteater pic.twitter.com/jdPBEnGlWY
5.06am BST
05:06
First question from Bill Shorten on domestic violence.
In the past week, Australians have looked on in horror as three women have been killed at the hands of someone they knew allegedly, highlighting the need for urgent and meaningful action on family violence. Will the PM declare that family violence is a national crisis and will the PM join with me and commit to a family violence package including front line legal services to be funded to ensure women suffering from family violence get the right legal support and programs to keep women safe at home and to help identify opportunities to prevent violence by mapping perpetrator activities?
Abbott says he respects Shorten’s commitment to the debate.
I certainly don’t rule out another summit. I do not rule that out at all. I know that this suggestion is made this very good faith by the leader of the opposition. Obviously much is already happening. There was a COAG summit on domestic violence earlier this year.
Abbott says he will have more to say on domestic violence in the next few days. Abbott also said this yesterday, so Labor is laying the groundwork on the issue.
Next question is on the China Free Trade Agreement.
4.56am BST
04:56
More advice for Malcolm T from the twits. You would never be smarmy with a pig.
@MattGlassDarkly @samanthamaiden @gabriellechan If ducks aren't your thing, you could walk a pig @TurnbullMalcolm pic.twitter.com/qC3QQK20gW
4.55am BST
04:55
Question time coming up.
4.27am BST
04:27
Senator McKenzie says farmers want to get rid of the duplication in the water trigger legislation, otherwise known as the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation act.
She says the environmental regulations, brought about by “paper pushers”, was costing businesses $426m every year and causing an average time for project approvals of 37 months.
We want to ensure our business and farmers as as internationally competitive as they can be so they can employ more Australians.
We want to see one application.
4.20am BST
04:20
Water trigger legislation in the senate
The water trigger legislation is being debated in the senate.
National senator Bridget McKenzie says the water trigger, which must examine large projects like mines, is just red tape, causing “overlap” and:
pushing around of papers.
If you’re parties that represent bureaucrats...you want to see those jobs protected over working class Australians.
4.15am BST
04:15
Mike Bowers
As the water continued to rise Peter’s witty remarks suddenly didn’t seem as funny anymore. #BrickParliament
4.12am BST
04:12
Alternatives to smarmy dog walking for Malcolm Turnbull, via our Twitter corro Matt Hatter.
@TurnbullMalcolm Have you considered walking a duck? No-one could object to you walking a duck. @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/4zpc9qLOaN
4.08am BST
04:08
High watermarks.
Updated
at 4.15am BST
4.03am BST
04:03
Sharman Stone has shattered my image of our workplace, via Olivia Leeming of 2UE.
@SharmanStone on leadership speculation "if you walk the corridors of parliament today, you wouldn't find universal bliss and peace" #auspol
#blissandpeace
3.52am BST
03:52
Lunchtime politics: a summary
Updated
at 4.13am BST
3.43am BST
03:43
We are all jumping at shadows today.
Julie Bishop was at a book launch in one of the rooms off the mural hall in Parliament House. My colleague Shalailah Medhora was there to cover it but the entrance to the room was in lockdown after security guards found an unattended backpack. Bishop had to take an alternative exit and refused to comment on leadership on her way out.
Mike Bowers reports it’s all fine now. It was a visitor’s bag left in the wrong spot.
Updated
at 3.46am BST
3.28am BST
03:28
The double dissolution election: what's the go?
After Laurie Oakes reported that Abbott favours a DD election, there have been many ministers and voters asking why, given the long-term trend in the polls against the government.
The Machiavellian theory goes that if the government scrapes through the Canning byelection, Abbott would call a snap DD election to ward off a challenge from Malcolm Turnbull.
Under this theory, Abbott may reckon that he could win an election against Bill Shorten and so would prefer a chance to go down fighting – rather than being knocked off as leader and retiring as an ex-prime minister.
Just to reprise the rules of the dreaded DD, this is a method to break a parliamentary deadlock between the houses. It requires that a bill is rejected twice, with three months in between the two votes.
If you cast your mind back, the last DD election was in 1987.
The government already has two double-dissolution election triggers, being:
The CEFC is not an ideal issue to fight an election on – if you are the Coalition.
The registered orgs bill is more in the ballpark. All things being equal, this could be fought in conjunction with the findings of the royal commission into trade unions.
BUT:
If Abbott were to call a DD election, it would mean the quota to get elected to the Senate halves, making it easier for senators from small parties to win office, possibly increasing the difficulty of passing legislation.
That is the bit that doesn’t compute.
Bear in mind, this very morning Abbott himself said he expected the government would go until at least halfway into next year.
Bets, anyone?
Updated
at 3.32am BST
2.47am BST
02:47
Meanwhile:
an indication of someone being a bit up themselves.
Ray Hadley: collar up. pic.twitter.com/mYYoQA4C4j
2.43am BST
02:43
In his press conference on the water amendment, environment minister Greg Hunt has been helping his parliamentary secretary, Bob Baldwin, who was on the Daily Telegraph’s hit list to lose his position.
A reporter asks Baldwin if he has the prime minister’s support, at which point Hunt says he contacted Baldwin to reassure him. Here is Hunt:
Let me say something here. I know from talking with the prime minister that Bob’s at an absolute high watermark in his career. He’s just achieved something which many people thought was impossible. It was viewed that we could never bring the states together [on the water bill]. I would like to claim responsibility for this achievement. The fact is Bob Baldwin brought all the states together.
I wonder if Hunt knows what a high watermark is...
Updated
at 4.15am BST
2.24am BST
02:24
Apologies. I would love to join the comment thread but I am having some technical issues accessing them.
2.23am BST
02:23
Queen of the Girl Guides.
Updated
at 2.45am BST
2.03am BST
02:03
The Senate is debating the Treasury Legislation amendment (small business and unfair contract terms) bill 2015.
When the bill was introduced, minister Nigel Scullion explained the effect in the Senate.
Under the new protections, a court will be able to strike out a term of a small business contract that it considers unfair. For example, a term that allows the business offering the contract to unilaterally change the price or key terms could be considered unfair.
In this way, this bill provides a remedy for small businesses when an unfair contract term is included in a standard form contract. This will reduce the incentive to include and enforce unfair terms in contracts with small businesses, providing for a more efficient allocation of risk and giving small businesses greater confidence to enter into contracts to invest and grow their business.
Updated
at 2.05am BST
1.43am BST
01:43
Environment minister Greg Hunt is coming out at 11am to speak about the Water Act.
1.42am BST
01:42
Bill Shorten was stopped at the airport to comment on the Liberal leadership. He said, without a hint of irony:
I just wish the Liberal party would get on with doing their day job of running the Australian economy well. It’s not which salesman the Liberal party pick that matters to Australia, it’s what they’re trying to sell Australians. Growth is down, unemployment is up, confidence is down and all we see is this ugly spectacle of Mr Abbott trying to save his job and other people in his own party, the Liberal party, tearing Mr Abbott down. It is long overdue for the Liberal party of Australia to start focussing on the jobs of ordinary Australians, not just their own jobs.
Updated
at 1.44am BST
1.32am BST
01:32
The third reading vote on the amendment to the Water Act, mentioned earlier, was:
Aye – 39; no – 9
The Water Amendment Bill 2015 has passed the #Senate without amendment
Updated
at 1.44am BST
1.29am BST
01:29
I support the leader.
1.27am BST
01:27
No upturned collars here.
1.25am BST
01:25
The Senate is voting now on a water bill – not the water trigger.
The bill would:
Amend: the Water Act 2007, to impose a duty on the commonwealth not to exceed the 1,500 gigalitre limit on surface water purchases in the Murray-Darling Basin at the time of entering into a water purchase contract; and the Basin Plan 2012, to provide flexibility in the recovery of 450 gigalitres of water for the environment through efficiency measures funded under the Water for the Environment Special Account.
Essentially, it caps the water which government can buy back from irrigators.
Updated
at 1.30am BST
12.56am BST
00:56
Scott Morrison is doing a doorstop after the Ray Hadley interview.
He knows nothing. No one has spoken to him about leadership. Someone asks about refugee resettlement.
A policy question. Excellent.
He is urging people to help by engaging with local members or local community centres.
It’s a tough thing to move where people have been unsettled in places for years ... It’s tough to move from that environment into a country like Australia and get on your feet ... You don’t just bring them all in a big plane and put them in a tent and say good luck.
His point is the settlement of 12,000 Syrian refugees needs to be an orderly process.
Updated
at 12.59am BST
12.49am BST
00:49
Boom boom boom.
Cab Min @ScottMorrisonMP on #boomgate - "We'll all look heavenward everyroom we walk into to look for that big boom" pic.twitter.com/cBXed3PvI5
12.47am BST
00:47
Ray Hadley is onto the Peter Dutton joke about climate change.
Hadley suggests Andrew Bolt has provided evidence that sea levels won’t engulf those Pacific islands.
Scott Morrison: Hmmmm.
It was just not a very good joke, says Hadley.
It was light-hearted remark not intended to offend, says Morrison.
It’s back to footy now. ScoMo sounds quite relieved.
Updated
at 12.48am BST
12.40am BST
00:40
Scott Morrison is saying nothing to see here Ray. Andrew Robb and Ian Macfarlane are terrific ministers, says Morrison, who is calming the waters after they were on the infamous Daily Telegraph hit list.
Hadley hops in to Malcolm Turnbull again:
Don’t forget that stupid collar (which was turned up).
It doesn’t happen in the western suburbs but it is “the domain of eastern suburbs types”.
It’s a bit of a wank ... it’s an indication of someone being a bit up themselves.
Updated
at 12.42am BST
12.35am BST
00:35
Ray Hadley sets in to Malcolm Turnbull and his destabilising behaviour.
Are people plotting at the moment, demands Ray.
I don’t know mate. I’m not going to amplify this.
Hadley demands Morrison condemn Turnbull. Morrison says he hasn’t seen Turnbull doing anything naughty. Hadley:
I saw him, smarmy, walking down the street with his dog and having an organised chat with his wife ... honestly, you didn’t come down in the last shower.
Hadley wants to know why Morrison doesn’t condemn Turnbull, given Turnbull needs Morrison if he is going to win a challenge. Hadley knows this because Graham Richardson said so.
Morrison says Richardson overstates his (Morrison’s) importance.
Updated
at 12.38am BST
12.30am BST
00:30
Social services minister Scott Morrison is coming up via his morning slot with Ray Hadley.
Morrison reports he is a happy shark.
12.24am BST
00:24
Getting on with decisive government
The prime minister is asked about Jay Weatherill’s threat to come after the federal government over the state of South Australia’s economy due to manufacturing closures, notably that of the car industry.
Q: You’re standing next to a premier who said he was going to come after you, after Christopher Pyne, after Jamie Briggs ... every Liberal MP he could think of, he was going to come after them at the next election. It’s not just in Canberra, you have people coming at you. You have state premiers coming at you. Don’t you have to take some decisive action to protect your leadership?
The decisive action I’m doing ... is things like committing to build the northern connector, committing to things like the Perth gateway and the Armadale road. Committing to things like a fleet build centred here in Adelaide. I am getting on with decisive government. I’m not going to play the Canberra game. I’m just not.
Updated
at 12.29am BST
12.14am BST
00:14
Abbott won't chase rabbits.
Prime minister, why do you think you’ve been unable to stop leadership speculation?
Well, again, I’m just not going to chase all of these rabbits down all of the burrows that you are inviting me to go down. I’m just not gonna play the Canberra games. Other people can play Canberra games. The public don’t like this insider gossip. The public don’t like the Canberra games, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m never going play them.
Updated
at 12.23am BST
12.12am BST
00:12
Abbott: I expect the government to go three years and then submit myself to the people
Tony Abbott is asked, given ministers are leaking against him, why not just call an election and be done with it?
My job is to do what the public elected me to do two years ago, and that is to govern effectively everyday for three years and then submit myself to the judgment of the people. But I expect that the government will go to the middle of next year and maybe a bit beyond, because that’s what we were elected to do three years ago.
12.10am BST
00:10
The infrastructure prime minister is announcing a $1bn northern connector road project.
As you know, I’m in Adelaide quite often. I was in Adelaide a few weeks ago to make a very, very significant commitment, not just to ship building but to fleet building focused here in South Australia.
The first question is about leadership. He says, not in so many words, fair cop. A couple of questions on this “$1bn commitment”.
Second question is on the Coalition seats in danger in South Australia. Abbott raises an eyebrow but then answers reluctantly, segueing into keeping his commitments like building roads and creating jobs.
Updated
at 12.21am BST
12.04am BST
00:04
Tony Abbott is up now with South Australian premier Jay Weatherill.
It’s a great day in a great state with a great future.
12.02am BST
00:02
Mathais Cormann: I am focused on the job.
Updated
at 12.08am BST
11.45pm BST
23:45
There is an important bill coming up in the Senate, expected today.
It is related to the water trigger. This is the law that gives the federal government powers over large environmental projects like the Adani and Shenhua coalmines, to assess the effect of such projects on water and biodiversity.
The law came in under Labor after the bill was pushed and negotiated by former independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott. You may remember long, long ago, back at the 2013 election, Tony Abbott and environment minister Greg Hunt promised an environmental one-stop shop, which would send that power back to the states. In other words, no federal oversight over mega-projects. The Coalition were overwhelmingly open about this, even though environmental groups and sections of the farming community went nuts. (Technical term.)
So the amendment was drafted but the Senate was not going to wear this particular legislation and it was blocked. It went into a bottom drawer from there, somewhere in a Senate desk, and there it sat. Ticking.
Now it is back on the business paper in the Senate.
Here is what it actually says, in part. The bill:
amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in relation to bilateral agreements by providing that:
Updated
at 11.57pm BST
11.07pm BST
23:07
While everyone is talking about him, Tony Abbott continues his schedule. He is in Adelaide to visit to the South Australian Traffic Management Centre and will appear at 8.30am Canberra time. Adelaide spells trouble for the Coalition, where independent senator Nick Xenophon’s plan for world domination is going from strength to strength. I will bring you pictures as soon as they are posted.
Updated
at 11.45pm BST
10.58pm BST
22:58
Good morning political punters.
The blossom trees are putting on a show in the national capital this morning as MPs gather in Canberra. A number of tracksuit-clad members could be seen on the way in, taking the airs, as Jane Austen might say. In this highly febrile atmosphere, it is very important to clear the head – if only to get away from the phones.
Just to recap, leadership chatter started again late last week but it was Channel Nine’s Laurie Oakes who added fuel to the fire last night when he reported that Malcolm Turnbull had been both asked to challenge and asked to rule out a challenge by his colleagues.
Oakes also reported that Tony Abbott was considering a snap election after the Canning byelection, in theory to head off any Turnbull challenge.
Lenore Taylor reports that Andrew Nikolic demanded Turnbull issue a public statement disavowing any intention of a challenge. Ministers have told her that the current situation is untenable and that a challenge is inevitable.
Mathias Cormann, finance minister and keeper of the lines, is telling Fran Kelly he is not at all distracted by the political noise.
No, he is not distracted. No, he is not frustrated. No, he is not angry. He is focussed.
I support the leadership team of Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop.
Cormann, is of course, a man of the west and he has been doing his bit in Canning. This morning, an Ipsos poll in Fairfax has a two-party-preferred swing in that seat of 9.8% against the government, which is pretty close to the poll by Galaxy over the weekend which had the swing at 10%. The Coalition holds the seat by 11.8%.
Cormann is asked whether anyone is talking about Tony Abbott in Canning.
The mood in the west is very good.
Which could mean they are talking Abbott. Or not.
On Sky earlier, Cormann said Tony Abbott will be prime minister at the election.
Stick with us. There are some interesting things happening in the parliament itself. Yes, I’m talking about legislation: *drink*
So fire up the Twits with me @gabriellechan and that man with the lens @mpbowers.
