New Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull a “friend of the Gold Coast” and could back light rail

UPDATE: DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad has told Queensland Parliament “the main impediment has been lifted” to Federal funding of light rail stage two.

UPDATE: DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad has told Queensland Parliament “the main impediment has been lifted” to Federal funding of the second stage of the Gold Coast light rail.

Ms Trad held up a photo, published in today’s Gold Coast Bulletin, of new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull riding the light rail in March this year.

She said the new PM was a great fan of the system and said she would contact his office immediately with a fresh plea for federal funding ahead of making a costed formal submission.

EARLIER

THE election of Malcolm Turnbull as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister has opened the door to federal funding for the second stage of the Gold Coast’s light rail system.

Last night’s spectacular leadership spill removed Tony Abbott from the nation’s top job and installed Mr Turnbull, a noted fan of the city’s highly successful tram system.

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Speaking exclusively with the Bulletin last night from Canberra, Moncrieff MP Steven Ciobo confirmed the chances of gaining support from Canberra for the tram-to-train connection was now significantly higher.

Malcolm Turnbull riding the G:Link light rail on the Gold Coast. Photo: Supplied

“The party room has, with an overwhelming majority, backed Malcolm Turnbull to be the new leader of the Liberal Party and Australia’s Prime Minister,” he said.

“Malcolm is a long-time friend of the Gold Coast and in many respects his election reflected the political polls and the reality is, the people too.

“We will now have a renewed focus and will have the chance to revisit projects such as the light rail.”

Mr Ciobo declined to reveal whether he supported Mr Turnbull or Mr Abbott, who will this morning resign his commission as Prime Minister.

However, The Gold Coast Bulletin understands Mr Turnbull enjoyed the support at least three of the four Gold Coast-based MPs.

Liberal Party sources told the Bulletin last night that Mr Turnbull had the backing of Forde MP Bert Van Manen and Fadden MP and Assistant Defence Minister, Stuart Robert.

Mr Van Manen, who declined to comment to the Gold Coast Bulletin last night, has one of the state’s most marginal seats and would be easily swept from office based on current polling.

The Bulletin has been told that McPherson MP Karen Andrews likely backed Mr Abbott, who she also supported in February at that failed leadership spill.

Malcolm Turnbull with Member for Moncrieff Steven Ciobo at a Mermaid Waters Telstra exchange. Picture: Tim Marsden

Mr Ciobo backed Mr Turnbull’s leadership in 2009 and has been discussed as a potential minister in a Turnbull Government, while Mr Robert has previously been a strong supporter of the Prime Minister.

A well-connected senior Liberal Party source said there had been a mood for change among the federal MPs.

“Stuart has traditionally supported Tony but as of late has become frustrated with the way things are going and he and the others realise things have to change,” the source said.

“Stuart especially is in a difficult position because he is an assistant minister but Bert’s seat is highly in danger and is regarded as such by party bosses here on the Gold Coast, so as a purely numerical game the MPs will vote to save themselves.”

A stunned looking Tony Abbott leaves the Party room after losing the leadership ballot at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Ray Strange

Multiple Liberal Party sources told the Bulletin that the relationship between Mr Abbott and his Gold Coast based MPs, who hold all the blue-ribbon seats in the area, had soured in recent months.

Among the issues that have impact on the relationship include poor polling, the leadership of “the team” including the Prime Minister’s office and difficultly in connecting with voters less than 12 months from an election.