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Turnbull attacks 'wreckers' Abbott and Dutton as he leaves office – politics live Turnbull attacks 'wreckers' Abbott and Dutton as he leaves office – politics live
(35 minutes later)
More Liberal MPs are leaving parliament and speaking freely to reporters on their way out. Enjoy it while it lasts. We’ll be back to scripted lines in no time.
Trent Zimmerman says the leadership tensions must stop.
The Australian people will be rightly very unforgiving unless we move on, and I’m confident that we will.
Should Abbott and other agitators leave parliament?
I wouldn’t like to see any more byelections but I do think that sometimes former prime ministers should take the model that John Howard sensibly has, and that’s to show great discretion about when you get involved in contemporary issues.
Fairfax and the ABC have the list of names of the 43 MPs who signed the crucial petition calling for the party room meeting.
These are the Liberal MPs who forced a spill motion, ending Malcolm Turnbull's prime ministership. @politicsabc https://t.co/qHZEJD4rqw pic.twitter.com/H8Cb68sbDM
EXCLUSIVE: Here’s ‘the list’ of MPs who demanded the spill. More detail here: https://t.co/nF9MY5Aw7e #auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/uxrSrbF9dY
A slight update on movements. Malcolm Turnbull has driven to Government House in Yarralumla, the official residence of the governor general.
Scott Morrison is about to speak to the media back in Parliament House. That’s scheduled for 3pm, so we’ll bring it to you as it happens.
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Scott Morrison by phone, and seemed warm in her praise of Australia’s new PM, saying he knew New Zealand well.
“I congratulated him on his role. Obviously I don’t need to help him familiarise himself with New Zealand; he has been active in promoting New Zealand to the world. And he acknowledged his warmth for this country. I look forward to building a really strong relationship with him.”
“Regardless of who is in charge we will keep advocating in the same way on behalf of New Zealand. Certainly I will make an assumption here that based on the role he has had in the past he will know New Zealand and its fine attributes really well.”
When asked by a reporter if Morrison was a better choice for Australia then Peter Dutton, Ardern dodged the question.
“Look we constantly make sure that we are the best representatives and advocates that we can be, regardless on who we’re advocating too.”
“I just had a conversation with him about the opportunities we might have to meet in the future, there’s several important fixtures coming up. The UN general assembly, the East Asia summit, Apec, and I look forward to potentially meeting him at any one of those.”
Ardern added that she had not had much to do with Morrison in the past, but her finance minister, Grant Robertson, had.
Leader of the opposition Simon Bridges also congratulated Morrison, and described him as a “warm friend of New Zealand”.
“I would also like to acknowledge Malcolm Turnbull for his commitment to the Australian-New Zealand relationship. Mr Turnbull has been instrumental in ensuring the relationship between our two countries continues to grow from strength to strength and I am confident that this close relationship will continue to grow under Mr Morrison’s leadership.”
A bit more from Cormann. He says “Malcolm will probably not like me for some time”.
It was a very difficult decision. It was an awful decision to have to make.
I believe it had to be settled more comprehensively than it was earlier in the week.
It’s not something that gave me any pleasure, whatsoever. I genuinely and sincerely enjoyed working with Malcolm. I had a very good working relationship with Malcolm.
Malcolm will probably not like me for some time. It was tough, I made a judgment that it was necessary. In the end all you can do in these jobs, all you can do is make judgments that you believe to be right.
One of the key players in all of this, Mathias Cormann, is speaking on Sky News. He effectively sealed Turnbull’s fate on Thursday, when he abandoned the prime minister, along with Michaelia Cash and Mitch Fifield, his frontbench colleagues.
Interestingly, if those three had voted against the spill motion today, it would have been defeated and Turnbull would have remained PM.
Cormann maintains Turnbull had lost the support of the party. He’s asked what Turnbull was doing wrong to warrant his dumping.
The party wasn’t sufficiently united by Turnbull, he says.
Cormann says:
I stand by my judgment. I believe that the ongoing division that we were experiencing … would have been debilitating for the government.
Liberal MPs are starting to depart parliament.Liberal MPs are starting to depart parliament.
Warren Entsch, a Queensland MP, tells reporters it would now be “insane” for the conservatives to agitate against the Morrison and Frydenberg leadership team.Warren Entsch, a Queensland MP, tells reporters it would now be “insane” for the conservatives to agitate against the Morrison and Frydenberg leadership team.
We have got two leaders that have come in, leader and deputy, that have clean hands. They’ve got no political blood on their hands. They have been loyal, they have been committed, they have been outstanding performers and they have showed leadership. So I say it’s a great day for us, and I think we can move forward from there.We have got two leaders that have come in, leader and deputy, that have clean hands. They’ve got no political blood on their hands. They have been loyal, they have been committed, they have been outstanding performers and they have showed leadership. So I say it’s a great day for us, and I think we can move forward from there.
A bit more detail on what the Nationals want from prime minister designate Scott Morrison:A bit more detail on what the Nationals want from prime minister designate Scott Morrison:
The regional development and local government portfolio backThe regional development and local government portfolio back
A new agricultural visa (I’ll try to get more detail on this but the point, I assume, is that it’s hard to attract workers to pick fruit)A new agricultural visa (I’ll try to get more detail on this but the point, I assume, is that it’s hard to attract workers to pick fruit)
Money for damsMoney for dams
Nationals lost the regional development and local government portfolio in the December reshuffle when John McVeigh, a regional Liberal from Queensland, got the portfolio.Nationals lost the regional development and local government portfolio in the December reshuffle when John McVeigh, a regional Liberal from Queensland, got the portfolio.
Just to wrap up that final press conference from Turnbull:Just to wrap up that final press conference from Turnbull:
Turnbull hit out at the “insurgency” that tore down his prime ministership. He described it as a “madness” and named Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott as the instigators. Turnbull also hit out at “powerful media voices”. He said Australians were “dumbstruck” and “appalled”.Turnbull hit out at the “insurgency” that tore down his prime ministership. He described it as a “madness” and named Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott as the instigators. Turnbull also hit out at “powerful media voices”. He said Australians were “dumbstruck” and “appalled”.
He acknowledged that climate and energy was a problem for his party, and that much of it was ideological.He acknowledged that climate and energy was a problem for his party, and that much of it was ideological.
Turnbull spoke of the difficulties of keeping the broad church of the Liberal party happy. But he said he learned it was crucial, and a lesson he learned from his previous time at the helm of the Liberal party.Turnbull spoke of the difficulties of keeping the broad church of the Liberal party happy. But he said he learned it was crucial, and a lesson he learned from his previous time at the helm of the Liberal party.
He listed among his achievements: same-sex marriage, economic growth, Snowy Hydro 2.0, tax reform, defence investment, the redress scheme for child sex abuse, the US refugee resettlement deal, and the cities deal.He listed among his achievements: same-sex marriage, economic growth, Snowy Hydro 2.0, tax reform, defence investment, the redress scheme for child sex abuse, the US refugee resettlement deal, and the cities deal.
Turnbull will quit parliament. When? It’s not so clear, but it will be soon, he promises.Turnbull will quit parliament. When? It’s not so clear, but it will be soon, he promises.
He praised Scott Morrison for his loyalty, and thanked Christopher Pyne, and Marise Payne.He praised Scott Morrison for his loyalty, and thanked Christopher Pyne, and Marise Payne.
Turnbull signs off #auspol pic.twitter.com/KF3g4qMcSyTurnbull signs off #auspol pic.twitter.com/KF3g4qMcSy
Turnbull finishes with this:Turnbull finishes with this:
I wish you all the best. Above all, I wish the new prime minister elect the very best and his team. Thank you.I wish you all the best. Above all, I wish the new prime minister elect the very best and his team. Thank you.
He receives applause from the gathered colleagues and staffers who are in the prime minister’s courtyard for this moment.He receives applause from the gathered colleagues and staffers who are in the prime minister’s courtyard for this moment.
Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed he will quit parliament “before too long”.Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed he will quit parliament “before too long”.
Any regrets, Malcolm?Any regrets, Malcolm?
We have run a very good government in the sense that we – the cabinet – hasn’t leaked very much, despite your best efforts to cause it to do so. We’ve been united. We’ve had a thoroughly traditional approach so that’s been good.We have run a very good government in the sense that we – the cabinet – hasn’t leaked very much, despite your best efforts to cause it to do so. We’ve been united. We’ve had a thoroughly traditional approach so that’s been good.
Now his wife, Lucy, and his grandson Jack arrive by his side.Now his wife, Lucy, and his grandson Jack arrive by his side.
He’s asked what Australians would think of the past week.He’s asked what Australians would think of the past week.
Australians will be just be dumbstruck and so appalled by the conduct of the last week. You know, to imagine that a government would be rocked by this sort of disloyalty and deliberate insurgency, is the best way to describe it, deliberate destructive action.Australians will be just be dumbstruck and so appalled by the conduct of the last week. You know, to imagine that a government would be rocked by this sort of disloyalty and deliberate insurgency, is the best way to describe it, deliberate destructive action.
Turnbull speaks of the difficulty of trying to maintain a broad church in the Liberal party, trying to keep the conservatives and moderates happy.
That has meant that from time to time I have had to compromise and make concessions. It’s something I learnt from my first time as leader that you have to work so hard to keep the show together. That’s the bottom line.
Now, we’re getting into the other bit. He’s blasting his internal opponents.
Turnbull again describes it as a “madness” and talks about the “powerful media voices” who were behind it.
There was a determined insurgency from a number of people both in the party room and backed by voices, powerful voices, in the media.
It was extraordinary. It was described as madness by many, and I think it’s difficult to describe it in any other way.
He gives us an insight into the party room meeting today.
In the party room meeting today I was impressed by how many of my colleagues spoke or voted for loyalty above disloyalty
The consultancy Capital Economics has also weighed in on the question of how this week’s shenanigans will affect the economy. In a research note today, it wonders whether the chances of a Labor government – which it says is seen as less helpful to businesses – are now more likely.
Labor’s plans to raise government spending, cut taxes for lower income households and raise taxes for higher income households would boost growth, it says. But it is also possible that “Labor’s proposed rises in some taxes would restrain economic growth by a disproportionately large amount”. The net result would be that the RBA would be less likely to increase rates under a Labor administration.
Meanwhile, the ASX200 has perked up in the wake of Morrison’s victory, rising 0.3% on the day to 6,620 points.
Turnbull thanks his family, and says they have been the subject of unwanted media attention, at times.
I want to thing all my colleagues. I want to thank my staff but above all I want to thank my wife Lucy for her love and support. I want to thank our children, Alex and his wife Yvonne and our daughter Daisy and her husband James. It isn’t easy being either married to or the child of a politician let alone a prime minister.
Turnbull continuing to talk on his legacy. He talks about the refugee resettlement agreement with the United States, and singles out a key backer, Christopher Pyne, for praise for leading a program of investments in the Australian defence force.
I think it has been a challenging time to be prime minister but I’m very proud of our record. I’m very proud of my government and my ministers’ record in achievement. I want to thank them. I want to thank all my colleagues.
Malcolm Turnbull is reflecting on his government’s achievements. He makes a point of listing the achievements of “a progressive Liberal Coalition government”.
It may surprise you on a day like this but I remain very optimistic and positive about our nation’s future, and I want to thank the Australian people for the support they’ve given me and my government over the last nearly three years. We’ve been able to achieve as a progressive government, as a progressive Liberal Coalition government, enormous reforms and very, very substantial achievements.
The achievements he’s listed so far:
Snowy Hydro 2.0
the railway from Melbourne to Tullamarine
strong economic growth
taxation reform
the legalisation of same-sex marriage
the western Sydney airport project
Turnbull: I remain optimistic about the future of the nation. He’s listing his government’s achievements during his time as PM #auspol pic.twitter.com/ZxVSg1GMXj
We’re waiting on Turnbull’s final press conference. It’s imminent.
Will he go out all guns blazing against the conservatives and other “outside” forces, as he did on Thursday? Or will this be more reflective in tone? The latter, you’d expect.
Standing by for Malcolm Turnbull’s last press conference as Prime Minister. #auspol pic.twitter.com/z0hGvW85nE
First the dollar rebounds and now Australia’s coveted AAA rating is safe after Scott Morrison’s elevation to the Liberal leadership.
The credit rating agency Moody’s has said that the leadership changes “have no implications for Australia’s sovereign credit profile” because it assumes Morrison will stick with existing policy settings. The significance is that if the agency – along with S&P and Fitch – had sniffed any instability they might have considered stripping Australia of its top rating, making it more expensive for the treasurer (whoever that is now) to borrow money.
However, Moody’s does issue a warning that The Lodge’s revolving door has caused some unease:
Australia’s AAA rating is supported by the country’s very high level of economic strength and moderate level of government debt. Our assessment of Australia’s institutional strength takes into account a greater degree of fragmentation in broad political representation at the level of the commonwealth over recent years which, at times, constrains the capacity of successive governments to pursue policy changes.
Our photographer, Mike Bowers, was in the thick of it earlier, snapping away either side of that momentous party room meeting.
Malcolm Turnbull will address the media for a final time as prime minister at 2pm.