Grim reality of a no-win leadership situation

THIS is a Government in full-blown crisis mode. The Prime Minister is fatally weakened, while his strongest leadership rival, Peter Dutton, commands the support of less than half the party room, writes Sharri Markson.

THIS is a Government in full-blown crisis mode. The Prime Minister is fatally weakened, while his strongest leadership rival, Peter Dutton, commands the support of less than half the party room.

Just months out from a federal election, the Liberal Party has no capacity to unify and defeat Bill Shorten — one of the most unpopular Labor leaders in the party’s history.

The spill result was devastating for Turnbull in that it exposed the loss of confidence in him from 42 per cent of his party room,

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Yesterday’s spill result was devastating for Turnbull in that it exposed the loss of confidence in him from 42 per cent of his party room, which is deeply divided on policy and ideology. The threat to his leadership gathered speed at a startling pace since Friday, culminating in an imminent challenge by the start of this week.

And while Dutton may muster the seven votes required to defeat Turnbull over the coming weeks, he would not lead a United Party, and several ministers, including Christopher Pyne, could quit and force by-elections in their seats if he wins.

Scott Morrison and PM Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra yesterday. Picture: Kym Smith

The extent to which Dutton misled the Prime Minister over the past four days has also been laid bare.

Turnbull, on Monday, confirmed a report in The Daily Telegraph that Dutton had pledged his support to him.

At that very moment, Dutton was working phones and plotting the PM’s downfall.

In his press conference after the spill, Dutton — one of the most important conservative members of Turnbull’s team — effectively made his leadership pitch to the people of Australia and the Liberal party room.

Barnaby Joyce. Picture: Kym Smith

Throw the Nationals to the mix and the sense that we have entered a destructive period of instability is undeniable.

After winning the spill, Turnbull called for unity and calm, yet, he knew that his government was crumbling.

The irony is, on paper, Turnbull’s popularity is streets ahead of Shorten’s, and he has had success passing difficult legislation through an obstructive Senate.

But, it hardly matters now. This inevitably ends only one way — when another leadership contest is called.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s popularity is streets ahead of Shorten’s, and he has had success passing difficult legislation through an obstructive Senate.