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Version 2 Version 3
Liberals in open warfare over Craig Kelly preselection – politics live Liberals in open warfare over Craig Kelly preselection – politics live
(37 minutes later)
Is it revenge, Malcolm Turnbull is asked
Well, look, the media want to create a narrative. And some people in politics want to create a narrative. But I’ve been a member of the Liberal party for a very long time. I’ve been the federal leader of the Liberal party. And I have the right – as does every other member – to express my views to members of the state executive. Now, why one, at least of them – Mr Kean, and perhaps others – decided to share those views with media, I have no idea.”
When does he believe the election should be held?
Well, I am very concerned – as many members of the New South Wales Liberal party are – that the brand damage to the party which arose from the leadership change in August, when I was removed as prime minister – and that has been considerable damage to the Liberal party’s brand, as a result of that – we’ve seen that taken out in a state byelection in Wagga, we’ve seen it obviously in Wentworth, and we’ve seen it in the Victorian state election.
I am very concerned that this will put at risk the Berejiklian government. So, from the point of view of a very good state government with real achievements and terrific track record, it would be better if the federal government were to go before the 23rd of March. Now, as it happens, my intention, as prime minister, was to go to the polls on 2 March. So, in effect, straight after the summer holidays.”
But Scott Morrison wants to go in May.
Well, look, that is a matter for him. And I might say – the, you know, the part of this case for, um, if you like, preventing the Liberal party members of Hughes having their say has been the assertion that Mr Kelly has threatened to go to the crossbench and “bring down the government”.
Now, I’ve got no idea if he’s made that threat. Let me make two points. That is not the sort of threat to give into. If that threat had been made, that is effectively blackmail. Why would you give in to that?
The second point I would make is that, even if Mr Kelly were to go to the crossbench, which I think is unlikely – assuming he lost his preselection – and even if he voted for a no-confidence motion in the government – which I think is even more unlikely – the simple arithmetic of the House of Representatives demonstrates that that would not be enough to carry the no-confidence motion.
Because on the crossbench, there are crossbench members who have all given the government the assurance of confidence-in-supply. In a nutshell, the processes of which party in which I am a longstanding member should be respected.
I’m disappointed that my discussions with members of the state executive last night found their way into the media but, having done that, it’s important – rather than having those discussions being, you know, presented in an inaccurate or incomplete manner – it’s better that I state what my position is, which I think is entirely appropriate.
As Scott Morrison knows, I’ve given him every support and plenty of good and useful advice, which he’s acknowledged. OK, thanks a lot.”
Some would say that the government may be in a little better position if this version of Malcolm Turnbull was the one who turned up as prime minister. Not the one who seemed to capitulate to what the conservatives wanted from the moment he took the leadership.
But he is not going away – he is now doing a doorstop on the street.
Unlike the other doorstops he has done on the street, he is wearing a suit. Not his civvies.
Well, I think in the case of Mr Kelly – which is what this is all about – there is the ... we have a democratic process of preselections in New South Wales and, in those circumstances, where there clearly is a contest, it’s important that the local members – the party members, Liberal party members in Hughes – have the opportunity to have their say.
I mean, we’ve had a very long debate here in New South Wales about the importance of grassroots participation. It is, after all, one of the Liberal party’s great strengths that it is a grassroots political movement. And so it’s reasonable, I think, and quite proper, to respect and to ask the state executive to respect those processes.”
On his own intervention to save Craig Kelly in 2016?
That was rather different in 2016 – the preselection, the challenger, decided not to proceed in 2016. But I think the point is that we have had, we have a democratic process, you have a challenger, there is a contest in Hughes – the Liberal 0arty members in Hughes are entitled to have their say. I mean, how – I might say, Mr Kelly, for what it’s worth, was a very strong advocate of party democracy. So surely he should be, he would be pleased to have a preselection.
A slight break in proceedings for Ian Goodenough’s annual calendar delivery.
His favourite this year, is March.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the member for Moore Ian Goodenough delivers his 2019 calendar to @murpharoo in @GuardianAus office @AmyRemeikis #politicslive early call-the March safari suit Goodenough is 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/TijzhlpcKy
The March Goodenough as modeled by ⁦@AmyRemeikis⁩ #politicslive pic.twitter.com/CtzWMkg1IR
Mathias Cormann was taking the conservative power stance to a whole new level this morning.
On the policy front, this is the biggest fight:
.@Kieran_Gilbert: Is the govt overegging it to suggest Labor is backing terrorist communication?@AngusTaylorMP: I tell you what’s offensive, is running a protection racket for terrorist networks who communicate using encrypted apps. MORE: https://t.co/mdebr0Bory #amagenda pic.twitter.com/Brsch4S5T5
And it may be one the government has already lost. Suggesting that Labor is on the side of terrorists seems too big a leap for even the staunchest conservative supporter.
That there was a compromise interim bill being put forward, which would have given the intelligence agencies the powers they want, is on the record. That the government rejected it, is also on the record.
That there are a lot of issues with this bill, is another thing on the record.
This response from the government jumps all of the sharks.
Siri, show me under pressure:Siri, show me under pressure:
.@AngusTaylorMP says he wasn’t aware of @TurnbullMalcolm’s plan for the govt to head to the polls in March.‘Australians want govts to serve their term. What they want is for us is to unite and fight against a potential Labor govt.’MORE: https://t.co/pCQD54QQOy #amagenda pic.twitter.com/gZEZH8U9e5.@AngusTaylorMP says he wasn’t aware of @TurnbullMalcolm’s plan for the govt to head to the polls in March.‘Australians want govts to serve their term. What they want is for us is to unite and fight against a potential Labor govt.’MORE: https://t.co/pCQD54QQOy #amagenda pic.twitter.com/gZEZH8U9e5
Angus Taylor, speaking to Sky, says the electorate wants the Liberal party to “unite and fight”.Angus Taylor, speaking to Sky, says the electorate wants the Liberal party to “unite and fight”.
He has said that about three times now. I think we might have some idea of what is listed on today’s talking points.He has said that about three times now. I think we might have some idea of what is listed on today’s talking points.
ABC radio is now playing R-E-S-P-E-C-T, so that’s a nice bookend to Fran Kelly’s morning.ABC radio is now playing R-E-S-P-E-C-T, so that’s a nice bookend to Fran Kelly’s morning.
And the final instalment (this interview was almost as long as a Ridley Scott director’s cut) And here’s the final instalment (this interview was almost as long as a Ridley Scott director’s cut).
KELLY: You do know that many of your colleagues see all of these moves as you try to get the Government into Opposition as Barnaby Joyce said trying to deliver us to opposition- Fran Kelly: “You do know that many of your colleagues see all of these moves as you trying to get the government into opposition, as Barnaby Joyce said trying to deliver us to opposition – ”
TURNBULL: Well that’s nonsense – Malcolm Turnbull: “Well, that’s nonsense – ”
KELLY: I mean one view is that you’re trying to step in so that Craig Kelly is not safe so he does go to the crossbench and that might further destabilise the Government and force an early election. Kelly: “I mean, one view is that you’re trying to step in so that Craig Kelly is not safe so he does go to the crossbench and that might further destabilise the government and force an early election.”
TURNBULL: Fran that is that is what I’ve described as attribution bias that is blaming your - you know, blaming other people for the consequences of your own actions. I mean the government’s electoral woes, if that’s the right term, are a consequence of the decision made to change the leadership on the 24th of August. I mean the polls whether it’s the opinion polls or the election results tell that story it was it was as I said at the time a destructive, mad, pointless exercise and the Australian people have been appalled by it. Turnbull: “Fran, that is that is what I’ve described as attribution bias that is blaming your – you know, blaming other people for the consequences of your own actions. I mean, the government’s electoral woes, if that’s the right term, are a consequence of the decision made to change the leadership on the 24th of August. I mean, the polls – whether it’s the opinion polls or the election results – tell that story. It was, as I said at the time, a destructive, mad, pointless exercise and the Australian people have been appalled by it.
And you know, I know that there’s been this proposition put around that no one’s really interested in the leadership change or the internal machinations of the Liberal Party. The fact is they are and it has done a lot of brand damage to the Liberal Party. And you know that’s something the Party is going to have to work through. But there’s no point being mealy mouth about it or pretending that that damage hasn’t been done. “And you know, I know that there’s been this proposition put around that no one’s really interested in the leadership change or the internal machinations of the Liberal party. The fact is they are and it has done a lot of brand damage to the Liberal party. And you know that’s something the party is going to have to work through. But there’s no point being mealy mouthed about it or pretending that that damage hasn’t been done.”
KELLY: Is there any point though, you pretending this isn’t some degree of payback for someone like Craig Kelly who helped lead the charge against the NEG and you? Kelly: “Is there any point, though, you pretending this isn’t some degree of payback for someone like Craig Kelly who helped lead the charge against the NEG and you?”
TURNBULL: Not at all. Not at all. I think it is a, it is, this is a matter of principle and I believe that in particularly given the lengthy debate we’ve had in New South Wales about the importance of grassroots members having their say and you know, the conventions and conferences we’ve had on this issue, it is really important that the people, that the Liberal Party members in Hughes have their say. Turnbull: “Not at all. Not at all. I think it is a, it is, this is a matter of principle and I believe that in particularly given the lengthy debate we’ve had in New South Wales about the importance of grassroots members having their say and you know, the conventions and conferences we’ve had on this issue, it is really important that the people, that the Liberal party members in Hughes have their say.
And look, I would say that in respect of any member but if to give in to a threat to quote bring down the government by someone who claims to be quote “a real liberal” unquote is extraordinary. I mean what the Prime Minister should be doing is if Mr Kelly has made that threat is he should stand up to him and say well if you want to go to the crossbench and create trouble that’s on you, that’s your responsibility. “And, look, I would say that in respect of any member but if to give in to a threat to quote ‘bring down the government’ by someone who claims to be quote ‘a real liberal’ unquote is extraordinary. I mean what the prime minister should be doing is if Mr Kelly has made that threat is he should stand up to him and say, ‘Well if you want to go to the crossbench and create trouble that’s on you, that’s your responsibility.’
I mean it’s exactly - you know people have got to take responsibility for their own actions just like the people who are responsible for my removal as Prime Minister are the people that voted to remove me in the partyroom. You know they are the ones that are responsible. Some of them try to blame it all on people in the media. Well, the media certainly has an influence on politics but ultimately members of parliament have to take responsibility for their own actions. “I mean, it’s exactly – you know people have got to take responsibility for their own actions, just like the people who are responsible for my removal as prime minister are the people that voted to remove me in the party room. You know they are the ones that are responsible. Some of them try to blame it all on people in the media. Well, the media certainly has an influence on politics but, ultimately, members of parliament have to take responsibility for their own actions.”
KELLY: But people would say some of your colleagues or former colleagues would say you have to take responsibility for your own actions and when you speak out like this and when it’s able to be leaked that you bad mouthed the Prime Minister – Kelly: “But people would say – some of your colleagues or former colleagues would say – you have to take responsibility for your own actions and when you speak out like this and when it’s able to be leaked that you badmouthed the prime minister – ”
TURNBULL: I have not bad mouthed the Prime Minister, I’ve given the Prime Minister Scott, I’ve given Scott Morrison considerable support. In fact many, well I’ve given him considerable support and I’ve given him considerable advice, good advice I might add. Turnbull: “I have not badmouthed the prime minister, I’ve given the prime minister –Scott – I’ve given Scott Morrison considerable support. In fact many, well, I’ve given him considerable support and I’ve given him considerable advice – good advice I might add.”
KELLY: Can I just ask you then because you know as I say some of your colleagues are suspicious and that’s been played out in the media you know. Did you encourage Julie Banks, for instance, to leave the party and go sit on the crossbench. Kelly: “Can I just ask you then because, you know, as I say, some of your colleagues are suspicious and that’s been played out in the media, you know. Did you encourage Julia Banks, for instance, to leave the party and go sit on the crossbench?”
TURNBULL: No look, I know there are some people who think that women can’t make their own decisions. But Julia Banks made her own decision. She is a formidable, experienced, strong woman. She is a lawyer corporate lawyer. She came into Parliament with a great track record in the private sector and she’s made her own conscientious decision and I think you know whether you regret it or not- whether one regrets it or not, it’s one that she’s made and she explained it I thought very powerfully in Parliament. Turnbull: “No, look, I know there are some people who think that women can’t make their own decisions. But Julia Banks made her own decision. She is a formidable, experienced, strong woman. She is a lawyer corporate lawyer. She came into parliament with a great track record in the private sector and she’s made her own conscientious decision and, I think, you know, whether you regret it or not – whether one regrets it or not – it’s one that she’s made and she explained it I thought very powerfully in parliament.”
KELLY: And you promised not to be a miserable ghost you know your colleagues will see this as you being a miserable ghost, don’t you? Kelly: “And you promised not to be a miserable ghost – you know your colleagues will see this as you being a miserable ghost, don’t you?”
TURNBULL: Well look people can – Turnbull: “Well, look, people can – ”
KELLY: Why aren’t you being that? Kelly: “Why aren’t you being that?”
TURNBULL: Well well well well for a start I’m not in the Parliament. I mean both Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott after they ceased to be prime minister stayed in the Parliament and did everything they could to overthrow their successor right. I’ve left the Parliament. I’m not a threat to anyone. I’m not a threat to Scott Morrison or anyone. I’m not even eligible, so I’m out but I have, I am an Australian citizen. I’m a member of the Liberal Party I’m entitled to express my views. I spoke to several members of the state executive yesterday as I was entitled to do. I’m very disappointed that at least one of them. Mr Matt Keane chose to share a colourful version of that discussion and not entirely accurate description but a description of idea with the media why he chose to do that is completely beyond me. But if you get to the point where you say, if you’re putting to me, if you’re saying to me I should never discuss political matters with anybody because they could be leaked to the media. That’s a ridiculous proposition. So those people who choose to put private discussions into the media should take responsibility for it. The reason I’ve come on your program this morning is I want to make it very clear what I’ve said, what my views are so that I’m not going to be misrepresented in the sort of increasingly paranoid descriptions of politics that you see in some of the media particularly in The Australian and on Sky News. The proposition that I am responsible for the government’s electoral woes it is absurd. The fact is when I was prime minister we were two points behind on the Newspoll level pegging effectively and we were four points ahead on our own private polling - but we know that’s not the government’s position today. And so the people who take should take responsibility for that are the people who moved to remove me as Prime Minister; Peter Dutton and Greg Hunt and Mathias Cormann and others, cabinet ministers and of course ultimately the members who voted according within the party room, they have to take responsibility for what they did. Turnbull: “Well, well, well, well, for a start I’m not in the parliament. I mean, both Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott after they ceased to be prime minister stayed in the parliament and did everything they could to overthrow their successor, right?
KELLY: Just very briefly and finally you do intend then to be the main active member of the Liberal Party? “I’ve left the parliament. I’m not a threat to anyone. I’m not a threat to Scott Morrison or anyone. I’m not even eligible, so I’m out, but I am an Australian citizen. I’m a member of the Liberal party, I’m entitled to express my views.
TURNBULL: Sure absolutely I’ve been a member of the Liberal Party for many many years. “I spoke to several members of the state executive yesterday, as I was entitled to do. I’m very disappointed that at least one of them, Mr Matt Kean, chose to share a colourful version of that discussion and not entirely accurate description but a description of idea with the media. Why he chose to do that is completely beyond me.
KELLY: Malcom Turnbull, thank you very much for joining us. “But if you get to the point where you say, if you’re putting to me, if you’re saying to me I should never discuss political matters with anybody because they could be leaked to the media, that’s a ridiculous proposition. So those people who choose to put private discussions into the media should take responsibility for it.
“The reason I’ve come on your program this morning is I want to make it very clear what I’ve said, what my views are so that I’m not going to be misrepresented in the sort of increasingly paranoid descriptions of politics that you see in some of the media, particularly in the Australian and on Sky News. The proposition that I am responsible for the government’s electoral woes it is absurd. The fact is when I was prime minister we were two points behind on the Newspoll, level pegging effectively, and we were four points ahead on our own private polling – but we know that’s not the government’s position today.
“And so the people who take should take responsibility for that are the people who moved to remove me as prime minister; Peter Dutton and Greg Hunt and Mathias Cormann and others, cabinet ministers and of course ultimately the members who voted according within the party room, they have to take responsibility for what they did.”
Kelly: “Just very briefly and finally you do intend then to remain an active member of the Liberal party?”
Turnbull: “Sure, absolutely. I’ve been a member of the Liberal party for many, many years.”
Kelly: “Malcom Turnbull, thank you very much for joining us.”
Here’s part two of the transcript of Malcolm Turnbull’s interview with the ABC’s Fran Kelly this morning. It was a 15-minute interview.Here’s part two of the transcript of Malcolm Turnbull’s interview with the ABC’s Fran Kelly this morning. It was a 15-minute interview.
Kelly: “Is that quote I read out just then, that this is Scott Morrison trying to save his own backside, is that accurate? Is that what you think?”Kelly: “Is that quote I read out just then, that this is Scott Morrison trying to save his own backside, is that accurate? Is that what you think?”
Turnbull: “I’m not going to go into that, Fran, but I’ll just make this clear. There is a very lively discussion in Liberal party circles again, which I regret to see reported in the newspaper in the way it has been, but that seems to be the tenor of the times, but there is a legitimate discussion and concern about the way in which the brand damage arising from the federal leadership change in August has impacted on the NSW state government in the Wagga byelection and the Victorian state election, and so there is a lot of people in NSW, a lot of NSW Liberals, who believe it would be in the party’s interest for the federal government to go to an election before the NSW government set an election date of 23 March so that Gladys Berejiklian, who is leading an outstanding government of real and considerable achievement, can go to the polls and be judged on her record rather than being hit by the brand damage that arose from the very destructive, pointless, shameful leadership change in Canberra on the 24th August.”Turnbull: “I’m not going to go into that, Fran, but I’ll just make this clear. There is a very lively discussion in Liberal party circles again, which I regret to see reported in the newspaper in the way it has been, but that seems to be the tenor of the times, but there is a legitimate discussion and concern about the way in which the brand damage arising from the federal leadership change in August has impacted on the NSW state government in the Wagga byelection and the Victorian state election, and so there is a lot of people in NSW, a lot of NSW Liberals, who believe it would be in the party’s interest for the federal government to go to an election before the NSW government set an election date of 23 March so that Gladys Berejiklian, who is leading an outstanding government of real and considerable achievement, can go to the polls and be judged on her record rather than being hit by the brand damage that arose from the very destructive, pointless, shameful leadership change in Canberra on the 24th August.”
Kelly: “But how are you, as a former prime minister, helping with that brand damage by ringing around, lobbying MPs and others, and making these accusations against the prime minister?”Kelly: “But how are you, as a former prime minister, helping with that brand damage by ringing around, lobbying MPs and others, and making these accusations against the prime minister?”
Turnbull: “Hey, Fran, I’ve not made any accusations against the prime minister.”Turnbull: “Hey, Fran, I’ve not made any accusations against the prime minister.”
Kelly: “Well, did you say he’s just trying to keep his arse on C1?”Kelly: “Well, did you say he’s just trying to keep his arse on C1?”
Turnbull: “I’m not going to go into that, but Matt Kean, if he wants to report versions of private conversations he can, but plainly the prime minister’s determination is to stay in government for as long as he possibly can.”Turnbull: “I’m not going to go into that, but Matt Kean, if he wants to report versions of private conversations he can, but plainly the prime minister’s determination is to stay in government for as long as he possibly can.”
Kelly: “Did you criticise him for that?”Kelly: “Did you criticise him for that?”
Turnbull: “Well, my view, again, I’m a retired member of parliament and just a member of the Liberal party but since everyone else feels free to express their political commentary I shall do so.Turnbull: “Well, my view, again, I’m a retired member of parliament and just a member of the Liberal party but since everyone else feels free to express their political commentary I shall do so.
“My view is that it would be manifestly in the best interests and prospects of the Morrison government to go to the polls as soon as it can after the summer break. In fact, my intention and Scott’s intention, for that matter, prior to my being removed as prime minister, was to go to polls on the 2nd March. That would be exactly three weeks before the NSW state election.“My view is that it would be manifestly in the best interests and prospects of the Morrison government to go to the polls as soon as it can after the summer break. In fact, my intention and Scott’s intention, for that matter, prior to my being removed as prime minister, was to go to polls on the 2nd March. That would be exactly three weeks before the NSW state election.
“But Morrison has got to judge the right timing for an election but you would understand, and the media is full of it, that there is a real concern in NSW Liberal circles, that a very good, outstanding government led by Gladys Berejiklian is going to have its prospects of success diminished because of the brand damage to the Liberal party caused by the leadership change in August. That is a legitimate matter.“But Morrison has got to judge the right timing for an election but you would understand, and the media is full of it, that there is a real concern in NSW Liberal circles, that a very good, outstanding government led by Gladys Berejiklian is going to have its prospects of success diminished because of the brand damage to the Liberal party caused by the leadership change in August. That is a legitimate matter.
“Now, as far as I’m concerned, I’m entitled to speak to state executive members, I’m entitled to speak to anyone I like, but as a member of the Liberal party I’m certainly entitled to speak to state executives members.“Now, as far as I’m concerned, I’m entitled to speak to state executive members, I’m entitled to speak to anyone I like, but as a member of the Liberal party I’m certainly entitled to speak to state executives members.
“I regret that at least one of them, Mr Kean, chose to give a rather colourful version of that discussion to the media but, you know, the alternative would be for me to become a Trappist monk and I don’t think that’s reasonable.”“I regret that at least one of them, Mr Kean, chose to give a rather colourful version of that discussion to the media but, you know, the alternative would be for me to become a Trappist monk and I don’t think that’s reasonable.”
Meanwhile, over in the Senate, Jim Molan has also declared that he won’t be going silently.Meanwhile, over in the Senate, Jim Molan has also declared that he won’t be going silently.
I spoke to Jane Marwick this afternoon about the Senate preselection. #auspol https://t.co/i91Tv0iL7yI spoke to Jane Marwick this afternoon about the Senate preselection. #auspol https://t.co/i91Tv0iL7y
He spoke to Perth radio 6PR on Sunday to say he will not be taken for granted, after he was relegated to an unwinnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket.He spoke to Perth radio 6PR on Sunday to say he will not be taken for granted, after he was relegated to an unwinnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket.
The Liberal party is too important to this country for me to walk out of this party, but every option is open to me.The Liberal party is too important to this country for me to walk out of this party, but every option is open to me.
The support in terms of organisations, money, anger has been beyond belief.The support in terms of organisations, money, anger has been beyond belief.
I’ll stay with the Liberal party, but I’m not to be taken for granted within the Liberal party.I’ll stay with the Liberal party, but I’m not to be taken for granted within the Liberal party.
His argument seems to be that the Liberal party needs more conservatives. Because that is absolutely what voters have been telling them. In WA. In Queensland. In Braddon and Longman and Wentworth and Victoria and all those other places which apparently, are not “real Australia”.His argument seems to be that the Liberal party needs more conservatives. Because that is absolutely what voters have been telling them. In WA. In Queensland. In Braddon and Longman and Wentworth and Victoria and all those other places which apparently, are not “real Australia”.
Malcolm Turnbull wanted to go to an election on 2 March.
He has advised Scott Morrison to do the same thing.
To save Craig Kelly, the Liberal party was planning on overriding the Hughes branch pre-selection with a state executive decree that all sitting members would be re-endorsed.
Turnbull found out about the ballot and called on moderates, asking them to reject the proposition.
The former PM learnt that at least one of the people he had spoken to, the NSW state minister Matt Kean, had passed on his comments to the Australian and went public with his intervention in a series of tweets.
He said responding to Kelly’s claims to quit the party and sit on the crossbench with a preselection save would be the “worst and weakest response”.
Turnbull then went on radio and said the same thing, while not denying that he said something like Scott Morrison was just trying to “keep his arse” in C1 –the prime ministerial car – as long as possible, by not going to a March election in an attempt to save the NSW state government.
The government is sticking to the line that it is “getting on with the job” and “oh hey, isn’t the economy great?”
Just to recap:
The Liberal party is tearing itself apart over the preselection of a backbencher, best known for his appearances on Sky.
In fact, Craig Kelly is so well known as the “Member for Told/On Sky News” that when Sky launched its new studio in Parliament House last week, people were wandering around making the joke they were looking for Kelly’s office.
His other classic hits include bringing down an energy policy, helping to bring down a prime minister, responding with, “I think that you’ve got to roll with the punches in this game,” after allegations of bullying were raised after the leadership spill, and now, thanks to this Bevan Shields story in Fairfax, swearing at a fellow Liberal for refusing to shake his hand. In a gymnastics club.
Here’s a (jetlagged) Mathias Cormann’s take:
The developments in the final week of August are a matter of public record. The decision was made by Malcolm at the time to bring on a surprise leadership spill, the result was that his position became irretrievable and the party made a decision to elect Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg as our leader and deputy leader and we are getting on with the job delivering stronger growth, more jobs, and getting the budget back in surplus as soon as possible.
On Malcolm Turnbull’s intervention:
He’s entitled to his views. In the end, the matter is ... for the New South Wales Liberal party state executive [who] and I am confident that they will make a decision based on their best judgments, on what is in the best interests of the Liberal party in NSW and the best interests of the government and the country moving forward.
Mathias Cormann was also sent out this morning to calm the farm.
He says Malcolm Turnbull is “entitled to his views” and he “wishes him well”.
You may remember that the former parliamentary besties haven’t really spoken to each other since the leadership spill. The spill that was called on after Cormann said the party room had the numbers for the vote. As we now know, at the moment, the Peter Dutton camp didn’t have the numbers. And when naming those he holds most responsible, Turnbull always ensures that Cormann is at the top of the list.
Oh – as I reported yesterday, Dutton won’t be in parliament again this week. He’s still on medical leave after ripping his biceps from his arm while literally mending a fence.
(I will never get over that.)
Here’s the opening part of the transcript from Malcolm Turnbull’s interview on Radio National this morning.
Fran Kelly: “Two years ago you stepped in to save Craig Kelly from being overthrown at pre-selection, this time you’ve intervened to try to help knock him off. Why?”
Turnbull: “It’s not a question of knocking him off, it’s important that the democratic processes of the Liberal party be allowed to operate.
“What is being proposed to the state executives is that the state executive should re-endorse Mr Kelly so that the Liberal party members of Hughes do not have the opportunity to have their say.
“Now we’ve just had a very long debate in NSW in the Liberal party about the importance of democracy and grassroots members’ participation, and in my view, and I say this as a Liberal party member of NSW, the party should allow the preselection process to take its course and then Mr Kelly will either succeed or not depending on the views of the Liberal party members whose candidate he is.”
Kelly: “But why is that different than you as prime minister making assertions on Craig Kelly’s behalf with the preselectors?”
Turnbull: “Well, the circumstances in 2016 were contentious then but the point of the matter is that what is being put to me by some members of the state executive is that Mr Kelly has threatened to go to the crossbench and ‘bring down the government’.
“Now, let me make a couple of points here. Firstly, I’m not aware that Mr Kelly has made that threat. I don’t believe that he would do that. I don’t believe he would either go to the crossbench or bring down the government. But assuming he has made that threat, then that is the worst and the weakest reason not to have a pre-selection process.
“So all I’ve asked, and I’ve spoken to members of the state executive to whom I’m entitled to speak as a member, I’ve asked them to stick to the democratic process and have a proper preselection. Now, several of them have chosen to share those discussions with the media last night, and that’s why I put out a statement to clarify what I’d said.”
Kelly: “And what they’ve shared with the media is you’re quoted as saying ‘Scott Morrison is just trying to keep his arse on C1’ – that’s the commonwealth car. In other words you believe Scott Morrison’s intervened just to try to save himself. But isn’t he trying to save the government? Isn’t that what prime ministers are supposed to do?”
Turnbull: “Well, prime ministers obviously try to keep the government together but the fact of the matter is that Mr Kelly were to, assuming he had made that threat … and assuming he carried it out, then the responsibility for that would be his and his alone. Giving in to threats of this kind is really, I mean it is the antithesis of good government, giving into threats of that kind.
“And I might say, just as a matter of arithmetic for those who are interested in these things, even assuming Mr Kelly were to go to the crossbench and even assuming he were to vote for a motion of no confidence – both propositions I think extremely unlikely – that would not be enough to bring down the government.
“So you know, what is being used as a means to try to railroad the state executive into not having a normal preselection process, a democratic process, is firstly a claim that the threat has been made, with no evidence that it has been made with consequences of ‘bringing down the government’, which simply are not right.
“I mean, the fact of the matter is the government has support of confidence and supply from most of the crossbench already.
“So if Mr Kelly were to go to the crossbench and vote with Labor and with the Greens and Andrew Wilkie … it would not be enough to bring down the government.”
Then of course, there is the encryption legislation fight.
Penny Wong said yesterday the committee looking at the legislation had offered an interim compromise bill, which the government “blew up”.
Mark Dreyfus said they had that in writing.
Simon Birmingham was left to clean up that mess this morning on Sky as well:
.@Kieran_Gilbert: The PM is creating some sense that Labor wants to allow the terrorists to operate. It’s actually quite rich for him to suggest that.@Birmo: No, not at all. The ALP is turning its back on the advice of our security agencies.MORE: https://t.co/mdebr0Bory pic.twitter.com/gc2h9WOeOd
On why the Liberals should be re-elected, Simon Birmingham says a very long version of “well, the economy is doing great”, while looking like the grimace face emoji.
He says it is time for the party to get over the leadership spill. Which it caused:
Look, I think that people remain having a mix of emotions over these things. I would wish that it hadn’t happened.
Scott Morrison didn’t want it to happen. He supported Malcolm Turnbull to the end. But when called upon, we’re all getting on with the job at hand.
The issues and the poll matter far, far more than the people or the personalities, and that will well and truly be our message that we take into the election this year.
Asking people to vote on our record of accomplishments, in fixing the budget, growing the economy, record jobs, securing our borders, tackling national security issues.
People can back the Liberal and National parties on a record of accomplishment and achievement, whereas at the end of the Rudd-Gillard years, they had record debt.
They had a huge flow of people coming across our borders. We had serious problems in terms of not being able to enjoy the type of trade access that we have today because there had been no trade deals successfully started and concluded in their time in office.
It’s a stark contrast in terms of the policy achievements when you take all of the political issues out of it, and just look at the policies of the day and the achievements and the things that matter to Australians.
Can they, their kids, their grandkids, more easily get a job than they could five and a half years ago? The answer is yes. That’s why people should support our re-election.
Simon Birmingham is on ABC TV right now, trying out this line:
People don’t want to hear about the internals of political parties. That’s why I don’t want to talk about the internals of political parties because it feeds the cycle.
I am not sure that is going to work in this case.
Part of that good advice that Malcolm Turnbull had for Scott Morrison – go to an election as soon as you can, after the summer break.
He said his plan, while prime minister, was to go to the polls on 2 March.
He believes Morrison should go then too, or “as soon as possible” after the summer break, so the NSW Liberals can have some space.
Otherwise, he said, a “very good government” was going to be punished because of what was happening in Canberra.
Where to start?
Last week ended with Craig Kelly, labelling himself a “true Liberal” with the Menzies T-shirt to boot, refusing to rule out moving to the crossbench if he lost preselection.
After creating the situation, starting on Monday when he spoke to Katharine Murphy about it, before moving to Sky where he also refused to rule it out, before having his emissaries tell Fairfax he would do it, he ended the week calling it all a bit of “fake news” and he would be part of Scott Morrison’s government until the bitter end.
But someone must have neglected to tell Morrison that, if the reports are to be believed (and you can bet they should be) because Morrison’s people spent the weekend on the phone to the NSW state executive urging members, in the strongest possible terms, to save Kelly.
And so, saving the backbencher became Sunday’s must-watch viewing, as the in-case-of-minority-government-emergency case was broken open and a state executive ballot to save all sitting MPs was enacted.
Because suddenly, those who had spent the past few years lobbying for individual branches to have more power, because you know, Liberal party democracy, suddenly wanted head office to step in and kibosh it, in what seems a very Labor party factional move. Because apparently, democracy only works when it works your way.
Enter Malcolm Turnbull, who was having none of it.
Today I learned there was a move to persuade the State Executive to re-endorse Craig Kelly as Liberal candidate for Hughes in order to avoid a preselection - in other words to deny Liberal Party members in Hughes the opportunity to have their say.
He not only made his intervention public on Twitter, he pinned the tweet to his page, to make easier for anyone looking for it.
I subsequently spoke with several State Executive members to express my strong view that the Party’s democratic processes should operate in the normal way especially after such a long debate in the NSW Liberal Party about the importance of grass roots membership involvement.
Saving Kelly because he had threatened to move to the crossbench would be the “worst and weakest response”.
It has been put to me that Mr Kelly has threatened to go to the cross bench and “bring down the Government”. If indeed he has made that threat, it is not one that should result in a capitulation. Indeed it would be the worst and weakest response to such a threat.
Turnbull should know. He was asked to step in and save Kelly on numerous occasions and resisted.
He saved Kelly once already, before the 2016 election, and was repaid with vocal and public criticisms and that one time he blew up Turnbull’s signature energy policy, which eventually led to his downfall as leader.
So it was a big fat no from Turnbull on the saving Kelly front.
And if you don’t think that tweet about “worst and weakest response” was directed at Morrison, then you are a much less cynical person than I am.
Doubling down, Turnbull went on ABC Radio National early on Monday morning to say that he, and Morrison, had planned on going to a federal election on 2 March, to save the NSW state government, which is due to go to the polls in late March. He doesn’t deny, as reported in the Australian, saying “Scott Morrison is just trying to keep his arse in C1” (the prime minister’s car) but also says he didn’t badmouth Morrison, and had been giving him “considerable support” and “very good advice”.
As for Kelly, Turnbull had this to say (among other things):
Well, prime ministers obviously try to keep the government together, but the fact of the matter is that, if Mr Kelly were to – assuming he has made that threat, which we don’t know for sure – assuming he’d made it and assuming he carried it out, then the responsibility for that would be his and his alone.
Giving in to threats of this kind is really – I mean, it is the antithesis of good government, giving in to threats of that kind. And I might say – just as a matter of arithmetic, for those that interested in these things – assuming, even assuming Mr Kelly were to go to the crossbench, and even assuming he were to vote for a motion of no-confidence – both propositions, I think, extremely unlikely – that would not be enough to bring down the government.
So, good times.
Mike Bowers is back with us, so I’ll bring you some of what he has been out and about capturing very soon. You also have the Guardian brains trust on deck. And of course, you also have me.
There is a lot to get through today, so let’s get into it.