How Turnbull’s new role was ended before it even began

NSW Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean spent the Easter weekend glued to his phone, trying to save face and the precarious Coalition seat of Upper Hunter.

Backbenchers had become jittery as the long weekend approached, with angry branch members and constituents questioning why former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull had been given the job of advising NSW on climate change.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, former prime minster Malcolm Turnbull, NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean and Deputy Premier John Barilaro.Credit: James Brickwood, James Alcock, Dominic Lorrimer, Janie Barrett

A polarising figure within the Liberal Party, Turnbull has only increased his advocacy for renewable energy since leaving politics, putting him at odds with sections of the Hunter region the state government is fearful of angering ahead of a crucial upcoming byelection.

Some MPs, including Liberals Lee Evans in Heathcote, Wendy Tuckerman in Goulburn and Nathaniel Smith in Wollondilly, were growing anxious about Turnbull’s appointment, and were being spurred on by influential conservative MP, Police Minister David Elliott.

A close friend and protege of Turnbull, Kean had recommended to cabinet on Monday last week that the former Wentworth MP be appointed as the inaugural chair of the government’s net-zero and clean energy advisory board. Kean made the announcement later that evening.

However, just one week later, Kean was forced to make another announcement. On Tuesday he said he would be dumping Turnbull from the role. It was a significant defeat for Kean.

“The focus should not be on personality,” Kean said in a statement. “Malcolm Turnbull AC has contributed much to our country and I know will contribute more into the future.

“However, no person’s role on the board should distract from achieving results for the NSW people or from the government’s work in delivering jobs and opportunities for the people of NSW.”

Turnbull’s appointment had been several months in the making and Kean had sought the backing of some ministers, including Deputy Premier John Barilaro, before taking his plan to cabinet.

In the cabinet meeting, sources say Premier Gladys Berejiklian was enthusiastic, insisting Turnbull was highly qualified for the job, while Elliott pondered whether there were any potential conflicts of interest given Turnbull’s business interests.

The only others to speak were Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Planning Minister Rob Stokes, who simply wanted it noted they had potential conflicts as beneficiaries of political donations from Turnbull (in the case of Ayres, it was his partner federal senator Marise Payne).

On the morning after the appointment, Turnbull did an interview on the ABC’s Radio National, where he called for a moratorium on new coal approvals in NSW. It proved to be the beginning of the end of his government role.

“I think approvals for new mines are out of control,” Turnbull said. On day two of the job, it was a bold statement to make, but one that became even more problematic a day later when the NSW government suddenly found itself facing a byelection in the coal capital of the Upper Hunter, the electorate with the highest proportion of mining jobs in the state.

Former Nationals Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen, who only narrowly won the seat in 2019, was forced out of Parliament after he was accused of raping a sex worker, a claim he strenuously denies. Already plunged into minority government, the Coalition sees the seat as a must-win.

One Nation leader Mark Latham seized on Turnbull’s comments, insisting he had set the scene for the byelection to be fought over coal jobs in the Hunter.

“Malcolm Turnbull’s comments were, essentially, that we should shut down the coal industry and instead everyone in the Upper Hunter should grow grapes or breed horses,” Latham told the Herald.

“For a region very heavily reliant on the coal industry, Malcolm Turnbull’s appointment and comments were arrogant and shockingly elitist.”

He was not alone in his concerns.

Barilaro had issued a directive to his Nationals ministers not to weigh into the debate after last year’s disastrous koala planning saga that almost tore apart the Coalition. He told them he “did not want to be at war with the Liberals” and the Liberals would need to deal with the fallout of Turnbull’s appointment. But that was before the byelection.

By Good Friday, Barilaro had made it clear to Kean that the situation was untenable. He did not make any threats, but pleaded with Kean to do the right thing and help the government – who will run a Nationals candidate in the seat – hold on to the Upper Hunter. Barilaro was insistent that if Turnbull was retained it was an impossible task.

Sources close to Kean say he was eager to protect Turnbull and did not want to embarrass a former prime minister. His preference was for Turnbull to resign. That did not happen.

Instead, after a long weekend of back-to-back calls, Kean on Tuesday took his plan to sack Turnbull to Berejiklian. She did not oppose it. But the Premier also did not shy away from her praise of him.

“At the end of the day the decision was made and we all move forward, but I want to stress for me personally it doesn’t take away from the admiration and respect I have for Malcolm Turnbull, that will be everlasting,” Berejiklian said on Tuesday.

Late on Tuesday, Barilaro issued a statement.

“Malcolm Turnbull severely misinterpreted his role as chair of the advisory board. Under no circumstances did this appointment provide him with a mandate to criticise the mining industry and as a result of his comments the NSW government has decided not to proceed with the appointment.

“As long as I am Deputy Premier and Minister for Mining, the mining sector has the full support of the NSW government and Mr Turnbull’s comments are obsolete.”

Meanwhile, Turnbull described his sacking as “thuggery” at the hands of the right-wing media. “They cracked the whip as bullies do, and got their way,” Turnbull said. “In actions like these, you have to ask, ‘Who’s in charge?’”

with Peter Hannam and Tom Rabe

Start your day informed

Our Morning Edition newsletter is a curated guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald‘s newsletter here, The Age‘s here, Brisbane Times’ here, and WAtoday’s here.