Malcolm Turnbull Twitters
I’m following Malcolm Turnbull on Twitter. Is that more disturbing than knowing that he’s following me?
The Opposition Leader joined the micro-blogging network Twitter this week. As of tonight, he has 627 followers and is following 593. He’s written 20 updates, the most recent informing us that he was in Crows Nest with Joe Hockey.
Whilst some Australian politicians have blogs and Facebook pages, Turnbull is the only one I know of who is tweeting.
Crikey has a good piece today on the use of Twitter by Bigpond customers. In turn, Bigpond customer service now has its own presence on Twitter.
Malcolm Turnbull Address To The Nation
The Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, today responded to the Prime Minister’s Address to the Nation. He offered support for the government’s package of stimulus measures.
Click the Play button to listen to Turnbull:
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Turnbull Offers Support For Economic Stimulus Package
The Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, has offered support to the economic stimulus package announced today by the Rudd government.
Speaking at a press conference with Deputy Leader Julie Bishop, Turnbull said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement today, especially for Australia’s age pensioners who have been denied justice for too long. This is a significant improvement in their position and we welcome it. Now this is also a very significant economic stimulus; a significant fiscal stimulus. And we trust that the government has taken into account the advice from Treasury and considered the impact that this stimulus may have on the Reserve Bank’s ability to reduce, to continue reducing interest rates, for example. But nonetheless we are not going to argue about the composition of the package or quibble about it. It has our support. It will provide a stimulus to the economy, that’s for certain. And above all it gives justice to Australia’s age pensioners in particular, who have been doing it especially tough.”
Click the Play button to listen to the Turnbull-Bishop press conference:
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Liberals Offer Three-Point Plan For Financial Crisis
The Federal Opposition has offered a three-point plan for strengthening the Australian economy.
As Australian and international stock markets spiralled downwards today, the Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, has called for the Rudd Government to:
- Increase the proposed Government backed deposit guarantee scheme to cover deposits up to a minimum of $100,000;
- Increase the investment into AAA rated Residential Mortgage Backed Securities through the Australian Office of Financial Management to at least $10 billion;
- Announce it will not implement the Emissions Trading Scheme prior to 2011.
Financial Crisis: Malcolm Turnbull Address To Queensland Liberal National Party
The Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, has delivered a speech on leadership and action in response to the international economic crisis. He addressed the first annual conference of the newly-formed Liberal National Party in Queensland.
Gillard Sledges Turnbull At Grand Final Breakfast
A lack-lustre Malcolm Turnbull delivered his first AFL Grand Final address at the North Melbourne breakfast this morning, as the man he deposed, Brendan Nelson, looked on from the top table.
Turnbull tried to make light of his AFL Roosters blooper earlier this week, but his speech lacked wit.
Click the play button to listen to Turnbull’s speech:
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Kevin Rudd’s trip to the USA caused him to miss his first opportunity to address the breakfast. His place was taken by Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard who treated the occasion like Question Time by getting stuck into Turnbull.
Click the play button to listen to Gillard’s speech:
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Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry
The Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Brendan Nelson, has announced the coalition’s new shadow ministry.
Nelson has drawn on the experience of former Howard government ministers such as Julie Bishop, Joe Hockey, Nick Minchin, Malcolm Turnbull and Andrew Robb. He has elevated new faces such as Tony Smith, Greg Hunt, Bob Baldwin, Andrew Southcott, Margaret May, Sussan Ley and Pat Farmer.
Nelson said: “The new Coalition team strikes the right balance between fresh faces and experience.”
This is the text of a media release from the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Brendan Nelson.
I am pleased to announce today the new Coalition frontbench.
The new Coalition team strikes the right balance between fresh faces and experience. The Shadow Ministry has been chosen on the basis of both proven performance and new members with the potential to contribute to the Coalition over the longer term.
This team has the drive, skills, experience and commitment to offer a credible, viable and attractive alternative Government.
Julie Bishop will take on the important role of Shadow Minister for Employment, Business and Workplace Relations. As the Deputy Leader, Ms Bishop will hold the Government to account and work to ensure the significant employment gains of the past decade are not eroded.
Opposition Senate Leader Nick Minchin will assume responsibility as Shadow Minister for Defence. Senator Minchin is one of the Coalition’s most experienced and skilful operators. His talents are greatly valued by the Liberals and Nationals.
Along with his role as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Eric Abetz becomes Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
Malcolm Turnbull will serve as my key economic spokesman as Shadow Treasurer. Malcolm’s economic experience, drive and intellect will be highly valued on the Coalition frontbench.
The Nationals’ Leader Warren Truss will serve as Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Local Government. As our valued Coalition partner, I look forward to working closely with Mr Truss and his colleagues.
Senator Nigel Scullion will provide an alternative to the Government’s approach on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
John Cobb will serve as Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Water Security.
Andrew Robb takes on the important and challenging role of Shadow Foreign Minister. Mr Robb is a proven safe pair of hands. Andrew’s experience will be a great asset to the Coalition team I look forward to his valued contribution on the frontbench.
Joe Hockey will hold the Government to account on Health, while Peter Dutton becomes Shadow Finance Minister, Ian MacFarlane becomes Shadow Trade Minister and Tony Abbott takes on responsibility for Families, Community Services, Indigenous Affairs and the Voluntary Sector.
Senator Chris Ellison becomes Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Helen Coonan takes on Human Services, Senator George Brandis becomes Shadow Attorney General, while Senator David Johnston brings his drive and talents to the position of Shadow Minister for Resources and Energy and Tourism.
Tony Smith, Bruce Billson and Greg Hunt also join the Shadow Cabinet. Mr Smith’s energy, skills and talent make him the ideal candidate to take on the Government in the important Education portfolio. I have also added the important areas of Apprenticeships and Training to Tony’s responsibilities.
Bruce Billson will enthusiastically develop the alternative Government’s plans for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
Greg Hunt becomes Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Urban Water. Greg will work tirelessly in this critically important portfolio.
There are a number of new faces in the Outer Shadow Ministry.
Senator Michael Ronaldson brings his considerable experience and talents as Shadow Special Minister of State. I welcome Michael Keenan to the frontbench as Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Steven Ciobo as Shadow Minister for Small Business, the Service Economy and Tourism.
Christopher Pyne becomes Shadow Minister for Justice and Border Protection, Sharman Stone takes on Environment, Heritage, the Arts and Indigenous Affairs and Bronwyn Bishop returns in the role of Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister.
The Nationals’ Luke Hartsuyker will take up the position of Shadow Minister for Business Development, Independent Contractors and Consumer Affairs.
Bob Baldwin, Andrew Southcott, Margaret May, Sussan Ley and Pat Farmer also join the Coalition frontbench.
The following Members and Senators will serve as Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries; Cory Bernardi, Richard Colbeck, Mark Coulton, John Forrest, Jo Gash, Barry Haase, Peter Lindsay, Ian Macdonald, Louise Markus, Brett Mason, Sophie Mirabella, Marise Payne and Don Randall.
Brendan Nelson Elected Liberal Party Leader In Close Vote
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:
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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:
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Listen to Malcolm Turnbull’s reaction to the Liberal leadership election:
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Abbott Withdraws From Liberal Leadership Contest
The outgoing Health Minister, Tony Abbott, has withdrawn from the Liberal Party leadership ballot on Thursday.
Malcolm Turnbull and Brendan Nelson will contest the position with Turnbull looking more likely to win.
The deputy’s position is a three-way contest between Andrew Robb, Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne.
