The Federal Opposition’s Julie Bishop has given an extraordinary press conference in which she attempted to justify the coalition’s decision not to to oppose the government’s legislation abolishing WorkChoices.
Brendan Nelson has been elected leader of the Liberal Party, defeating Malcolm Turnbull by 45 votes to 42.
Julie Bishop, the outgoing Education Minister, has been elected deputy leader. Sky News reports that she garnered 44 votes, Andrew Robb 25 and Christopher Pyne 18.
Bishop holds the seat of Curtin in Western Australia, the only state to withstand the swing to the ALP in Saturday’s election.
The election of Nelson and Bishop marks the first time in decades that the Liberal Party’s leaders do not include a Victorian.
Listen to Peter Costello Announce the Leaders:
Nelson Appoints Turnbull Shadow Treasurer, Supports Kyoto Ratification
Nov 29 - 3.10pm - The newly-elected Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson, has appointed Malcolm Turnbull Shadow Treasurer. Nelson also offered support for the ratification of the Kyoto treaty.
Giving his first press conference since defeating Turnbull 45-42 earlier today, Nelson spoke of his Labor-oriented family background and the role education played in his life.
He said he wanted to discuss the future of federal intervention in Northern Territory aboriginal communities with the incoming prime minister, Kevin Rudd. Nelson’s deputy, Julie Bishop, will be the shadow minister for Industrial Relations.
Within hours of Nelson’s elevation to the Liberal leadership, the ALP had NelsonFacts online.
Listen to the Press Conference held by Brendan Nelson and Julie Bishop:
Listen to Malcolm Turnbull’s reaction to the Liberal leadership election:
Nov 25 - 12.45pm - The outgoing Treasurer, Peter Costello, has announced that he will not seek the leadership of the Liberal Party following its defeat at yesterday’s election.
Costello said he would serve out his three-year term as the member for Higgins and would leave politics at the next election.
Adapting the words of former United States President Lyndon Johnson, Costello said: “I will not seek and I will not accept the leadership of the Liberal Party.”
Can Turnbull Snatch The Prize?
Nov 25 - 1.00pm - Political attention will now focus on whether the member for Wentworth, Malcolm Turnbull, can secure the leadership of the Federal Liberal Party.
Turnbull won a second term in the House of Representatives at yesterday’s election, withstanding a concerted attempt to unseat him. He nearly won the seat on primary votes.
Other likely contenders for the leadership are Brendan Nelson and Joe Hockey. Alexander Downer will also be called on to make his intentions clear. Julie Bishop could be a contender but is more likely to seek the deputy’s position.
Nightmare For Liberal Party Worsens, Or Does It?
Nov 25 - 1.15pm - Whilst some will see Peter Costello’s departure as a worsening nightmare for the Liberal Party, following its defeat in yesterday’s election, the decision also represents an opportunity to move to a new generation of leadership untainted by the Howard-Costello years.
Conversely, the decision by Costello robs his party of a strong parliamentary performer with experience in government.
For Kevin Rudd, the development represents a stunning defeat of his two major opponents in the coalition government.