Liberal MP quits over ousting of Malcolm Turnbull

COALITION MP Julia Banks will quit politics at the next election in protest over last week’s leadership coup. The marginal seat holder accused her colleagues of “bullying, intimidation and mean-spirited grudges.”

COALITION marginal seat holder Julia Banks will quit politics at the next election in protest over last week’s leadership coup.

In a blistering statement, the Victorian MP accused her colleagues of “bullying, intimidation and mean-spirited grudges” and labelled the plot to overthrow Malcolm Turnbull “the last straw”.

MP Julia Banks, right, said the ousting of Malcolm Turnbull was the “last straw”. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Ms Banks, who holds the marginal seat of Chisholm, said she agreed with hundreds of people who had told her they wanted Malcolm Turnbull to remain prime minister.

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“I have always listened to the people who elected me and put Australia’s national interest before internal political games, factional party grudges, self-proclaimed powerbrokers and certain media personalities who bear vindictive, mean-spirited grudges intent on settling their personal scores. Last week’s events were the last straw,” she said today.

READ THE JULIA BANKS STATEMENT HERE

Chisholm MP Julia Banks said she had been the victim of bullying and intimidation. Picture David Geraghty

Ms Banks narrowly won the seat of Victorian seat of Chisholm from Labor at the last election.

It had been held by Labor for 18 years and will be seen as a very difficult seat to hold without Ms Banks.

Scott Morrison became Australia’s new prime minister on Friday defeating Peter Dutton in a close race after Mr Turnbull resigned.

Mr Turnbull called a spill motion which was carried 45 votes to 40, meaning almost half the party room wanted Mr Turnbull to stay in power.

Ms Banks admitted she had been the victim of bullying during her time as the member for Chisholm.

“The people of Chisholm know that I say what I think. They know that I will always call out bad behaviour and will not tolerate any form of bullying or intimidation. I have experienced this both from within my own party and from the Labor Party,” Ms Banks said.

Julia Banks said the events of the past week had taken an emotional toll. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Ms Banks said she will continue to support Mr Morrison and the new government until the next Federal Election, vowing to fight ”the scourge of cultural and gender bias, bullying and intimidation that continues against woman in politics, the media, and across business”.

Ms Banks admitted the last week had taken an “emotional toll” and asked that “people be kind” over the months ahead.