Prime Minister-elect Scott Morrison. (Photo: Alex Ellinghausen)
Oz Kiwi opinion
For the second time this week there was a challenge for the leadership of the Australian Liberal Party, and therefore, the Prime Minister of Australia. Scott Morrison defeated Peter Dutton 45 votes to 40 in the secret ballot.
Until Tuesday of this week Scott Morrison was Treasurer, and prior to that the Minister for Immigration. He’s socially conservative and the architect of Australia’s hardline anti-asylum seeker policies. He’s also no friend of New Zealand, implementing the Migration Act Section 501 reforms that have seen huge growth in the number of Kiwis being deported.
In the coming days Prime Minister Scott Morrision will announce his Cabinet. Until then it remains to be seen who will become Minister of Home Affairs.
Scott Morrison has been chosen by the Liberal party room as Australia’s 30th Prime Minister
24 August 2018
Stephanie Peatling, Eryk Bagshaw & Dana McCauley – Sydney Morning Herald
Mr Morrison defeated Peter Dutton 45 votes to 40 in the secret ballot. Leadership candidate Julie Bishop was knocked out in the first round.
The decision capped off a week of turmoil in Canberra that began after Mr Dutton declared his intention to force Malcolm Turnbull from the Prime Ministership, saying the party needed to make a change if it was to win the forthcoming federal election, due before May 18 next year.
Energy and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg has been elected deputy Liberal leader. Mr Frydenberg will take over from Ms Bishop who had served as deputy Liberal leader under Mr Turnbull and Tony Abbott.
Mr Turnbull, who became Prime Minister in 2015 following a spill against Mr Abbott, stood aside on Friday after receiving a petition from a majority of Liberal MPs demanding a ballot to select a new leader. He confirmed he will resign from Parliament “not before too long”, forcing a by-election in his seat of Wentworth.
Malcolm Turnbull, pictured with his family, speaks to the media after his party room loss on Friday. (Photo: Photo: Alex Ellinghausen)
[Read the full Sydney Morning Herald article].
