ID :
19603
Mon, 09/15/2008 - 19:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/19603
The shortlink copeid
Nelson to call spill of Libs leadership
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said he would be calling a spill of the leadership of the Liberal party on Tuesday morning.
In a statement on Monday night, Dr Nelson said that he would be recontesting the leadership. Emerging from the hastily convened Liberal party room meeting on Monday night, Dr Nelson said he was confident of having the support of his colleagues. In his statement, Dr Nelson said if he was reendorsed as leader he would be asking
to draw a line in the sand and mark a transition for the Liberals.
"If I am reendorsed as leader, I will remain absolutely determined and committed to the future of our party and Australia," he said in the statement. "But as we move forward, I am asking our party to draw a line in the sand and mark a transition from the difficult aftermath of an election defeat to the building and presentation of a credible, attractive and inspiring alternative government.
"In doing so, we will make a renewed commitment to unity and discipline, to focus less on internal preoccupations and more on the Rudd government, policy and the important issues concerning everyday Australians."
With former treasurer Peter Costello last week ruling out taking on the Liberal leadership, speculation has been rife that aspirant Malcolm Turnbull would challenge Dr Nelson sooner or later. Mr Turnbull, who lost the leadership ballot to Dr Nelson by just three votes after last November's election loss, remained mum on Monday morning on the possibility of a leadership spill.
Arriving in Canberra after a week-long holiday in Italy, Mr Turnbull said he would not talk about the leadership. "I've got nothing to say about leadership matters," Mr Turnbull told reporters as they pursued him through Canberra airport.
Dr Nelson said millions of Australians were counting on the coalition to hold the government to account. "I am asking my colleagues to make a renewed commitment to do just that," he said. Dr Nelson's leadership has been plagued by poor opinion polls since he won the close fought ballot against Mr Turnbull, the opposition treasury spokesman.
This year his leadership has been further undermined by continuing speculation over Mr Costello's future plans. While Mr Costello, who releases his memoirs on Tuesday, has ruled out a challenge for the leadership, he has given no indication of when he will exit politics,
leaving open the prospect that he could still be drafted into the top job. Asked on Tuesday night if he was confident he had the support of his colleagues, Dr Nelson said: "Very."
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop has not indicated she plans to stand aside from her position. However, during Tuesday's meeting, one of her colleagues could call for a spill of the position. The matter would have to go to the vote.
A spokesman said Ms Bishop was not making any comment on Monday night.
In a statement on Monday night, Dr Nelson said that he would be recontesting the leadership. Emerging from the hastily convened Liberal party room meeting on Monday night, Dr Nelson said he was confident of having the support of his colleagues. In his statement, Dr Nelson said if he was reendorsed as leader he would be asking
to draw a line in the sand and mark a transition for the Liberals.
"If I am reendorsed as leader, I will remain absolutely determined and committed to the future of our party and Australia," he said in the statement. "But as we move forward, I am asking our party to draw a line in the sand and mark a transition from the difficult aftermath of an election defeat to the building and presentation of a credible, attractive and inspiring alternative government.
"In doing so, we will make a renewed commitment to unity and discipline, to focus less on internal preoccupations and more on the Rudd government, policy and the important issues concerning everyday Australians."
With former treasurer Peter Costello last week ruling out taking on the Liberal leadership, speculation has been rife that aspirant Malcolm Turnbull would challenge Dr Nelson sooner or later. Mr Turnbull, who lost the leadership ballot to Dr Nelson by just three votes after last November's election loss, remained mum on Monday morning on the possibility of a leadership spill.
Arriving in Canberra after a week-long holiday in Italy, Mr Turnbull said he would not talk about the leadership. "I've got nothing to say about leadership matters," Mr Turnbull told reporters as they pursued him through Canberra airport.
Dr Nelson said millions of Australians were counting on the coalition to hold the government to account. "I am asking my colleagues to make a renewed commitment to do just that," he said. Dr Nelson's leadership has been plagued by poor opinion polls since he won the close fought ballot against Mr Turnbull, the opposition treasury spokesman.
This year his leadership has been further undermined by continuing speculation over Mr Costello's future plans. While Mr Costello, who releases his memoirs on Tuesday, has ruled out a challenge for the leadership, he has given no indication of when he will exit politics,
leaving open the prospect that he could still be drafted into the top job. Asked on Tuesday night if he was confident he had the support of his colleagues, Dr Nelson said: "Very."
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop has not indicated she plans to stand aside from her position. However, during Tuesday's meeting, one of her colleagues could call for a spill of the position. The matter would have to go to the vote.
A spokesman said Ms Bishop was not making any comment on Monday night.
