‘Fundamental problem’: Malcolm Turnbull’s brutal take-down of Coalition after net-zero split

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a blistering appraisal of the Coalition and their “fundamental problem”.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a blistering appraisal of his former Coalition colleagues, slamming the “same insane conversations” about energy seven years after his ousting.

Mr Turnbull was in Parliament House on Thursday for the unveiling of his prime ministerial portrait.

In an impassioned speech, Mr Turnbull said “nothing has changed” in the 10 years since he became prime minister in a pointed swipe at Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who was in attendance, two weeks after the Coalition ditched net-zero targets.

“We’re still having the same insane conversations on the right of politics about energy,” he said.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was in Parliament House on Thursday for the unveiling of his prime ministerial portrait. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“It’s really ludicrous. When I was prime minister, I used to say tediously and short of everyone who listened to me, energy policy should be determined by engineering and economics, not ideology and idiocy.

“Seven years since I stopped being prime minister, there’s still reality denial, physics denial.”

Addressing the media later, Mr Turnbull doubled down on his criticisms, addressing what he said was the “fundamental problem” with the Coalition.

“This was always an issue – it was an issue in my time, it has just got worse and worse and worse – there are a group of people who think the object of politics is to win the approval of a relatively small part of what you might call the right-wing media,” he said.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley was in attendance and later shook Mr Turnbull’s hand. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“So, they’re running on culture war issues, reality denial – it’s really sad.

“You can see from the electoral results and you can see form the polling, it doesn’t work.”

Mr Turnbull was critical of the Coalition for not playing a role in the Albanese government’s environmental reform, which is set to pass parliament on Thursday with support form the Greens.

“The Coalition … could have played an active, active role, but they chose not to,” he said.

Sussan Ley stood on the sidelines of the unveiling on Thursday.

Several former Coalition heavyweights were seated for the event, including Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne, Michael McCormack, and George Brandis.

Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, Mr Turnbull’s local MP, also attended.

Anthony Albanese shared a touching moment between himself and Mr Turnbull. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Turnbull almost burst into tears

Anthony Albanese shared a touching moment between himself and Mr Turnbull in an earlier speech, which the former prime minister said almost brought him to tears.

“I say this on a very personal level, there was a moment nothing to do with politics, where Malcolm and Lucy, to me, showed their character,” the Prime Minister said.

“Where they reached out to me at a difficult time in my personal life and just had me for dinner.

“It was just really a sign of character and decency and humanity, and I will never forget it. A generous act in a place that often is characterised by its lack of generosity.”

Mr Albanese said no one had known about the dinner.

“I know politics, now they do. My life’s got better,” he said.

Visibly emotional, Mr Turnbull said to Mr Albanese later: “Prime Minister, that really moved me.

George Brandis, Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne were also in attendance. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“There was a moment there where I thought you were going to burst into tears, and I nearly did too, when you looked at me after you talked about the dinner we had at home.”

During his speech, Mr Turnbull said democracy was “under siege”.

“We have to be absolutely resolute in defending it because we cannot take any of the democratic privileges and responsibilities we have in Australia for granted,” he said.

“I will continue to be an active citizen, and I encourage everyone else to do the same.”

Mr Turnbull’s portrait was painted by artist Jude Rae, only the second woman since federation to complete a prime ministerial portrait.

She told the audience the yellow background was intended to “emphasises the dynamism” of a man she said she found “charming and engaging”.

Speakers, including Mr Albanese, noted Mr Turnbull’s establishment of the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project among his achievements.

Originally published as ‘Fundamental problem’: Malcolm Turnbull’s brutal take-down of Coalition after net-zero split