Sussan Ley fallout: Coalition senator Barry O’Sullivan slams Malcolm Turnbull over handling of the affair

EXCLUSIVE: A COALITION senator has broken ranks over the handling of the Sussan Ley expense scandal, criticising Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for not dealing with it more decisively on day one.

A COALITION senator has broken ranks over the handling of the Sussan Ley expense scandal, criticising Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for not dealing with it more decisively on day one.

Barry O’Sullivan says the government must get back on track this year and has declared the PM needs to “stamp his authority” and “not blink” as the nation fights to strengthen its economic standing. “It would seem we didn’t learn much from the Bronwyn Bishop episode,” he said.

The Queensland Senator believes Mr Turnbull needs to act more swiftly the next time he is confronted with a potential scandal, particularly around expenses.

A reshuffle that is widely expected to be minimal will be announced this week, with Senator Arthur Sinodinos tipped by many to remain in the health portfolio.

On Friday, Ms Ley informed Mr Turnbull of her intention to resign from the ministry, after a difficult week for the government stemming from revelations she bought a Gold Coast property while on a taxpayer-funded trip.

Senator O’Sullivan insists the Coalition can no longer let itself spend days bleeding in the wake of such debacles.

LNP Senator Barry O'Sullivan on his property just outside Toowoomba. Picture: Michael Ross

“If these events present again, the PM has to cauterise it the same day,” he said. “We seem to know how to get ourselves into trouble ... we seem to know how to stay in trouble as long as we can. We’re driven into a corner by the media and public opinion.”

Many within the party were last week dismayed at how the issue was able to suck valuable oxygen for days on end.

Senator O’Sullivan said the Australian public viewed Mr Turnbull as someone with strong economic credentials but it was time for him to ­refocus the broader narrative.

“We’ve been off to a less than favourable start but he now needs to stamp his authority on this,” he said.

“We have to tell the Australian people there will be some austerity measures to fix the structural deficit.”

Sussan Ley and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

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