Malcolm Turnbull takes aim at the Liberal Party from US exile

Former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett has ripped into Malcolm Turnbull, accusing him of ‘endlessly undermining’ old allies.

Former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett has called on Malcolm Turnbull to resign from the party over disloyalty after he appeared to encourage a vote for independents.

Lashing the former Prime Minister for “endlessly” undermining the Liberal Party, Mr Kennett said it was time for him to go.

“Although Malcolm Turnbull is a wealthy man, he is the poorest in human spirit,” Mr Kennett tweeted on Friday night.

“Alone without friends in Australia, except the ABC, he lives abroad and endlessly undermines the people who gave him the opportunity to serve as PM.

“He should resign from the Liberal Party he attacks.”

Liberal senator Hollie Hughes joined the attacks, suggesting the party’s state executive could expel him after the election and complaining his conduct is “beyond a joke”.

“But I do think that there will be some movement post the election when the new state executive convenes because it really is just getting beyond a joke now,” she told Sky’s Chris Kenny on Friday night.

The Former Prime Minister appeared to just stop short of directly urging voters to support Independent candidates. Picture: NCA.

Kennett’s outburst comes after Mr Turnbull predicted Australians voting for independents will help repair the Liberal Party, in a move that is likely to create the groundwork to expel him from the party he once led.

But he stopped short of directly urging voters to support Independent candidates despite refusing – twice – to reveal if he still votes for the Liberal Party.

Speaking in the US, where he has exiled himself during the election campaign, Mr Turnbull told the Washington Harvard Club at 8am Friday (AEST) that since he was dumped from the leadership, moderate Liberals have been frozen out.

“So what does a traditional voter for, say, the Liberal Party in Australia or the Republican Party in the US do if they think their party has moved too far to the right?,’’ he said.

“They can vote for the other side – Labor in Australia, Democrats in the US – but that may be a bridge too far. To quote Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, “I don’t really know what the party stands for anymore … I think mentally I feel more like an independent than a Republican.”

“In Australia, the existence of preferential voting opens up another option and we are seeing it play out in this election. In a number of hitherto safe Liberal seats, residents have organised to support small “l” liberal independent candidates who are typically progressive on climate and social issues, but more conservative than Labor on economic issues.”

Thank you! Your courageous defence of democratic values despite ferocious political headwinds is an inspiration! https://t.co/8EEx2R2jOK

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) April 27, 2022

Mr Turnbull said the rise of the independents was one of the most significant developments in the election.

“In many respects this may be the most interesting part of the whole election, because if more of these “teal” independents win, it will mean the capture of the Liberal Party will be thwarted by direct, democratic action from voters. People power, you might say,’’ he said.

His intervention in the campaign follows earlier forays where he accused the Prime Minister Scott Morrison of being a serial liar which prompted Defence Minister Peter Dutton to describe him as “totally consumed with hatred”.

But he denied directly urging voters to throw their support behind independents claiming he wasn’t urging people to vote for anyone.

“In the Federal Party room, the tide has gone out for the small-‘L’ liberals and moderates,’’ he said.

“The consequence is that people who are more comfortable with that side of the Liberal Party are – if you like – voting with their feet and supporting ‘teal’ independents.

“That is their democratic right and whether you want to vote for them or not, I am not encouraging people to vote for anyone, I am encouraging people to vote.”

The former Prime Minister accused Scott Morrison of being a serial liar. Picture: Jason Edwards.

The news is a blow to the prospects of Liberal MP Dave Sharma, who is involved in a fight for survival in Mr Turnbull’s seat of Wentworth against Independent Allegra Spender.

Ms Spender, the daughter of Carla Zampatti, is the child of Liberal Party royalty – John Spender QC – a former Australian politician, diplomat and barrister who was a Liberal MP for a decade.

Speaking outside the venue, Mr Turnbull denied providing any cash support to Independents.

“Not in this election. I haven’t and nor has Lucy,’’ he said.

But he refused to say whether he would himself vote for the Independent Allegra Spender.

“I am – it is a secret ballot and I will keep that to myself,’’ he said.

“It is a secret ballot.”

“That is not what the speech says. You are putting words into my mouth. I suggest you read the speech.”

Mr Turnbull tiptoed saying who he’d vote for in his own electorate – Dave Sharma or Allegra Spender. Picture: Supplied.

There are 22 ‘teal’ independents running across the country who threaten to unseat high profile Liberal MPs including the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong, Victoria.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has previously accused Malcolm Turnbull of being “totally consumed by ­hatred” as Liberal MPs condemn the former prime minister as a “miserable ghost.”

“He should be enjoying that stage of his life instead of being consumed, totally consumed, by hatred and this desire to bring down the Morrison government,” Mr Dutton said.

Originally published as Malcolm Turnbull takes aim at the Liberal Party from US exile