Turnbull returns to office to see what’s left of hopes and promises he took to election

MALCOLM Turnbull is back in Canberra today with the dismal task of sweeping up the scraps of the mandate he had hoped to win.

Malcolm Turnbull declares victory in the federal election yesterday. Picture: AFP/Peter Parks

MALCOLM Turnbull is back in his Canberra office today with the dismal task of sweeping up the scraps of the mandate he had hoped to win on July 2.

Mr Turnbull’s immediate task was to consult his chief public service adviser, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet head Martin Parkinson, on the mechanics of starting the new administration.

That includes how long he will have to wait before opening the new Parliament, which he wants to be operating as soon as possible.

Until then, there are broader issues to be dealt with.

The Prime Minister-elect has little room for anything other than to negotiate with interests, ranging from his internal Liberal critics to independents in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

And, of course, Labor and the Greens.

The relationship with Labor and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who has promised to be productive in dealings with the new government, could be critical.

Malcolm Turnbull meets with the secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Martin Parkinson, during an incoming government briefing at Parliament House this morning. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Mr Turnbull wants to introduce legislation for his tax cuts for middle-income earners as soon as he can. However, Labor has made clear it would fight other tax measures it believed would give windfalls to big business.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen indicated today big economic legislation could be put off until an end-of-year Budget update

“Now, when the government gets its act together and releases these policies I imagine that there will be a midyear economic update later in the year, which will be an opportunity for them to update their policies, then we will respond accordingly,” Mr Bowen told ABC radio.

But he also said of the business tax cuts, “Now there’s a lot of speculation the government will drop that policy”.

But there were definite no-go areas for Labor.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen has outlined which Coalition policies Labor will refuse to consider. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir

“Well, we’ve been very, very clear that the measures from the 2014 Budget, which are still in this Budget, which we have rejected consistently, have been rejected by the Australian people consistently, will not be allowed to pass in our view,” Mr Bowen said.

“Whether that’s the freeze on Medicare benefit … obviously the policy of making unemployed people wait a month before they can get Newstart, making them go hungry for a month, we will never support.

“The measures to make it harder for pensioners to travel overseas, we will not support.”

Many election autopsies have included challenges to both Mr Turnbull’s policies and his authority in the Coalition, with public calls for the government to move to the right from outspoken senator Cory Bernardi, star recruit Andrew Hastie and senior senator Eric Abetz.

Mr Turnbull will continue to be given advice from political and policy staffers today on what can and what might not be navigated through the new Parliament and its substantial numbers of independents.

At stake are totem policies of the previous government’s May 3 Budget: Changes to superannuation, business tax cuts worth $50 billion over 10 years, and the extended freeze on the Medicare rebate.

There also are commitments to a plebiscite on same-sex marriage and a referendum to recognise indigenous Australians in the Constitution, and Mr Turnbull might find he will have bigger fights with conservatives in his own party on these issues than with Labor and the Greens.

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce is likely to jostle for more influence in the new Turnbull cabinet. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir

His first major talks have been with Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce as they put together the deal for renewal of the Liberal-Nationals Coalition.

The bargaining began immediately after the July 2 poll and will have to recognise the Nationals strengthened position within the Coalition.

The Liberals have lost 14 seats and the Nationals might have gained one. The Nationals proportionally increased representation in the alliance means they can claim more ministers.

Mr Turnbull will have to reorder his frontbench because of the loss of junior minister Wyatt Roy, Peter Hendy and Richard Colbeck. He has said there will not be wholesale changes but the new ministry will have to accommodate the Nationals’ bid for three new ministries, the replacement of the junior ministers, and a possible strengthening of health and other sensitive portfolios.