2009 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill
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An election for the federal parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party of Australia was held on 1 December 2009. The incumbent, Malcolm Turnbull, was defeated by Tony Abbott in a three-way party-room vote.[1]
The contestants for the leadership were:
- Malcolm Turnbull, the incumbent leader;
- Tony Abbott, the shadow health minister; and
- Joe Hockey, the shadow treasurer.
The ballot was brought on by tension within the Liberal Party and its coalition partner, the National Party of Australia, over whether to accept the Rudd government's proposal for an Emissions Trading Scheme in Australia. Turnbull's attempts to accept the scheme if Liberal amendments were accepted was vigorously opposed by the backbench. A 'backbench revolt', with 40 backbenchers opposing the scheme and only 33 supporting Turnbull's position, was resisted by Turnbull through an appeal to shadow cabinet solidarity.[2]
On 25 November 2009, a spill motion was moved and defeated by a vote of 48 to 35. Although the vote did not proceed, Kevin Andrews, former Minister for Immigration and Minister for Industrial Relations, had contested the leadership. [3] Potential candidates Joe Hockey and Tony Abbott declared their support for Turnbull.[4]
On 26 and 27 November 2009, seven shadow ministers and three parliamentary secretaries, all from the Right faction of the Liberal Party, resigned from the ministry to sit on the backbench. This put considerable pressure on Turnbull, who maintained a strong position in support of the deal he and frontbencher Ian Macfarlane had brokered with Labor. On 29 November 2009, Turnbull gave an interview to veteran Nine Network journalist Laurie Oakes, in which he attacked supporters of Right faction leader Nick Minchin, and warned that the party would "end up becoming a fringe party of the far right" which would be "destroyed by Kevin Rudd in an election" if it did not vote in favour of the emissions trading scheme.[5]
Abbott announced on 27 November that he would challenge Turnbull for the leadership, but that he would stand aside if Hockey were to challenge. A Newspoll released on 30 November placed Hockey at 33%, Turnbull at 30% and Abbott at 19%.[6]
After seeking advice from former prime minister John Howard, former New South Wales premier Nick Greiner and other Liberal figures, and after much speculation, Hockey opted to challenge for the leadership, but that he would push for a conscience vote on the issue rather than bind all members of the party to voting for or against the scheme. Abbott announced subsequently that he would challenge, making it a three-cornered contest.[7] To the end, Turnbull insisted he would win in the party room.
Results
The results were as follows:[1]
- Spill motion to vacate leadership
| Support | Votes |
|---|---|
| Yes | 48 |
| No | 34 |
- First round
- Second round
| Candidate | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Australian politics/party colours/Liberal | | Tony Abbott | 42 |
| Template:Australian politics/party colours/Liberal | | Malcolm Turnbull | 41 |
- Note: only 83 votes counted due to one person voting informally.[1] Turnbull supporter Fran Bailey was unable to vote as she was recovering from an operation and unable to attend.[8]
See also
- Liberal Party of Australia leadership election, 2007
- Liberal Party of Australia leadership election, 2008
References
- ^ a b c "Shock win for Abbott in leadership vote". ABC Online. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ^ Coorey, Phillip (25 November 2009). "Malcolm Turnbull survives backbench revolt, for now". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ^ "Turnbull's leadership to be decided as Libs gather for showdown". The Age. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
name=smh2511was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Laurie Oakes and Malcolm Turnbull, Leader of the Opposition". Today on Sunday. Nine Network. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ^ "Newspoll" (PDF). 30 November 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ^ "Abbott throws hat into leadership ring". ABC Online. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ^ Malcolm Turnbull loses leadership ballot by one vote - and supporter Fran Bailey is away sick: Herald Sun 2 December 2009