Sharri Markson: The PM isn’t embarrassed of his fortune

LABOR should give up trying to attack Malcolm Turnbull for his self-made fortune as it’s something the PM just isn’t embarrassed by — especially because he donates every cent of his salary, writes Sharri Markson.

MALCOLM Turnbull rose to prominence as a ruthless barrister, a businessman and a savvy tech investor.

Wealth and success have always been part of his public image. He has never shied away from this.

SHARRI MARKSON EXPLAINS TAX CUTS ON MIRANDA LIVE:

His father, Bruce Turnbull, who for the most part raised Malcolm on his own in a rented flat, could only have dreamt of the wealth his son would later generate.

With this tumultuous family background, Turnbull has only ever been proud of the financial set-up he and Lucy created. It’s not something he sees a reason to be embarrassed over.

A young Malcolm Turnbull with father Bruce Turnbull at Sydney University for his graduation in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Law.

Turnbull has used his money to employ staff and pay them well, to invest in companies and to donate to charity and other political causes he is passionate about.

After using every trick in the book to try shut down the Turnbull government’s income tax cut legislation last week — including trying to sabotage Pauline Hanson’s support by funding robocalls against her — Shorten was in a desperate position by the end of the week.

The pressure on his leadership intensified when Anthony Albanese gave a carefully-worded speech highlighting Labor’s shortcomings under Shorten.

Malcolm Turnbull's Point Piper waterfront home. Picture Craig Greenhill

Urgently trying to change the news agenda and momentum at the start of the last parliamentary sitting week before the by-elections, Labor rolled out attack ads against Turnbull, crucifying him for being successful.

One of Turnbull’s partners in an investment banking firm was Neville Wran, former NSW Labor Premier.

Turnbull yesterday said Wran would be “horrified” by Mr Shorten’s “mean-spirited” “politics of envy” and class-warfare attack he is using against him now.

Malcolm Turnbull and former NSW Premier Neville Wran in 2010.

Malcolm Turnbull, Wendy Machin and Neville Wran celebrate Australian Republican Movement's seventh birthday in 1998.

“They want to attack me for having a quid, they want to attack me and Lucy for working hard, investing, having a go, making money, paying tax, paying plenty of tax, giving back to the community, which we do,” he said.

“That’s apparently not the Labor way anymore. You are not allowed to have a go or be successful. Clearly, the Labor Party has turned on everything it stood for.”

The advert has been exposed for its bitterness and has been rendered redundant with our revelation today that Turnbull essentially donates ever cent of his $528,000 prime ministerial salary to charity.

He is practically doing the job of prime minister for free.

Labor will need to find a new way to attack Turnbull, other than trying to embarrass him over his wealth.