MP’s comments put mounting pressure on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

A VETERAN Liberal has ramped up the pressure on Malcolm Turnbull, saying voters don’t know what he stands for, and see him as a “city ­person” who doesn’t represent the bush.

Queensland senator Ian Macdonald says voters don’t know what Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stands for.

A VETERAN Liberal has ramped up the pressure on Malcolm Turnbull, saying voters don’t know what he stands for, and see him as a “city ­person” who doesn’t represent the bush.

Queensland senator Ian Macdonald’s blunt public criticisms came as the Prime Minister tried to stare down a group of rebel Nationals colleagues who are pushing for a banking inquiry.

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Senior Turnbull ally Christopher Pyne told the MPs “disunity is death”, and they would be better off arguing their case in the government party room.

“Disunity will only end in one result, and that is a Labor government,” Mr Pyne said.

Senior Turnbull ally Christopher Pyne told MPs disunity is death. Picture: AAP

Nationals senator Barry O’Sullivan is refining a private members’ Bill for a commission of inquiry into the banks, and lower house colleagues George Christensen and Llew O’Brien have signalled they are willing to cross the floor to support it.

It sets the stage for tense meetings between government MPs in Canberra next week, after Nationals leader-in-exile Barnaby Joyce — who faces a by-election this Saturday — said it was the right of the party room to bring up such issues.

But Mr Turnbull said the government had “made it clear” it would not set up a royal commission, because it would delay reforms the government was making to the banking sector, including ­beefing up regulators and ­creating a one-stop shop for complaints.

Queensland senator Ian Macdonald has bluntly criticised Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: AAP

“That is the issue. It is the difference between getting on with the job, taking action now and delivering results now,” he said.

Mr Macdonald said the switch from Tony Abbott to Mr Turnbull in 2015 had been the beginning of a political “disaster”.

“Malcolm is a very intelligent bloke, I think he is very committed, I think he has great vision, but it doesn’t come across. People can’t quite work (it) out,’’ he said.

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