Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warns enemies to focus on voters rather than themselves
MALCOLM Turnbull has delivered an unprecedented smackdown to Tony Abbott and his internal enemies, declaring: “This is a time for builders, not wreckers.”
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PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has delivered an unprecedented smackdown to predecessor Tony Abbott and his internal party enemies, declaring: “This is a time for builders, not wreckers.”
Following repeated attacks by Mr Abbott in a week marred by turmoil and division, Mr Turnbull demanded that his government colleagues show loyalty and stop focusing on themselves.
He said he was “sick of politics and sick of personalities”.
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Tomorrow marks a year since his 2016 election win, and the PM argues he has made changes that will improve the lives of all Australians — passing laws rather than promoting “theories, or thought bubbles, or glib one-liners”.
His comments represented a sharp criticism of Mr Abbott, who released his own policy manifesto this week.
Despite predictions the Prime Minister would go to the polls as early as August next year, the Herald Sun understands he has told colleagues he is planning to serve a full three-year term and is eyeing a May 2019 election.
If he survives in office until then, Mr Turnbull would have recorded the longest consecutive period as prime minister since John Howard.
A Sky News/ReachTEL poll has showed 72.8 per cent of Coalition voters back the PM over Mr Abbott.
In an opinion piece in today’s Herald Sun, Mr Turnbull writes that it is time for “leaders who get things done and don’t just talk”.
“In the past 12 months my government has achieved real-time results. Not just headlines or announcements, but policies that matter,” he writes.
“I’m more determined than ever to govern for all 24 million Australians, to listen to their concerns, and address their needs. This is precisely what I have been doing, and it’s precisely what I will continue to do. My clear message, to politicians and journalists alike, is: Don’t focus on yourselves, focus on the people who elected us, the 24 million Australians.”
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the PM was “out of touch” with Australians who from today would suffer penalty rate cuts and energy price hikes, as high-income earners got a tax cut from the removal of the temporary deficit levy.
The PM writes that he focuses on one question: “What is going to make your life better?” He points to “nation-building reforms”: schools, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, childcare, and energy.
He says the government will ensure “new reliable baseload power”, which could be clean coal or renewable energy, to cover the closure of coal-fired power stations.
“Our approach is guided by engineering and economics, not ideology and politics. That’s the old way, and it has failed,” he writes.
“Australians want clear eyed, hard-headed, well thought out leadership.”
He urges Australians to “look at our results” on cost of living, roads and rail, education, and health.
“It is our job to serve. But more importantly, it is our job to deliver,” the PM writes.
READ THE PRIME MINISTER’S FULL OPINION PIECE HERE
Read more: Tony Abbott admits he was drunk in Parliament and missed crucial GFC bailout vote
Originally published as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warns enemies to focus on voters rather than themselves
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