Malcolm Turnbull quits politics, seat of Wentworth set for by-election

Malcolm Turnbull has quit federal parliament, one week after being ousted from the top job, ending 14 years as an MP.

Malcolm Turnbull has handed in his resignation to Speaker Tony Smith. Picture: Sean Davey

Malcolm Turnbull has formally tendered his resignation from federal parliament, one week after he was ousted from the top job.

The country’s 29th prime minister, who served as the Liberal member for the Sydney seat of Wentworth for 14 years, handed in his resignation letter to Speaker of the House Tony Smith this afternoon.

Scott Morrison said he was disappointed his “dear and close friend” Mr Turnbull was leaving public life but he deserved to “refresh and reset”.

“You know how much he used to like talking about love? Well, love is coming right back at you Malcolm,” the Prime Minister said from Jakarta.

“I want to wish all the best to you and the time you will have with your family now and to be able to get out of the madness of politics, all that sort of nonsense that occurred.”

Mr Turnbull will reportedly fly out to New York for a six-week holiday this weekend.

His departure comes after he was forced to hold a Liberal partyroom meeting last Friday and a majority of his colleagues voted to spill his leadership position.

Mr Morrison defeated Peter Dutton and Julie Bishop to become Prime Minister.

Mr Smith will consult with party leaders and the Australian Electoral Commission before deciding on a date for a Wentworth by-election.

In his final letter to his constituents this week, Mr Turnbull said the “shocking and shameful events” leading to his toppling equated to a “pointless week of madness that disgraced our parliament and appalled our nation”.

“As you know, I have always said that the best place for former PMs is out of the Parliament, and recent events amply demonstrate why,” Mr Turnbull wrote, in a parting shot at his predecessor Tony Abbott.

Mr Turnbull had a swift rise in the Liberal Party after entering parliament in 2004.

The former merchant banker, barrister, journalist and Rhodes Scholar ousted Brendan Nelson to become leader of the Liberal Party in September 2008 but lost in a spill to Mr Abbott 15 months later.

He was communications minister in the Abbott government until he successfully challenged Mr Abbott in 2015 and was again elected Liberal Party leader, and as a result prime minister, by his colleagues.

“It has been at times a wild ride, but together we have achieved an enormous amount,” Mr Turnbull wrote to his constituents.

“I am very proud, especially, of the achievements of the government over the past almost three years. With a one-seat majority in the House and a minority in the Senate many said that this government would be ‘in office but not in power’. We disproved that.”

Morrison lauds predecessor

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described Mr Turnbull as a man of “incredible passion and empathy” and said his predecessor’s leadership “left Australia a stronger and more prosperous nation”.

“He leaves a legacy of great achievement,” Mr Morrison said. “I am grateful for his friendship, his support and above all else, his service to his country.”

Mr Morrison expressed gratitude for his commitment to the values of the Liberal Party and “calm stewardship, even in times of difficulty”.

He said Mr Turnbull fostered a “have a go” culture in Australia, “so that no matter our background, race or place of birth, all Australians could share in the promise of our nation.”

“Australia is a better place thanks to Malcolm’s service and his contribution to our Parliament will be sorely missed,” Mr Morrison said.

The PM also thanked Lucy Turnbull for her “wholehearted” support of her husband’s efforts throughout his career.

“The country also owes Lucy a great debt of thanks,” he said.

Mr Morrison is in Indonesia talking trade relations and security. He told reporters he thought it was “incredibly important I should be here in my first week as prime minister, and shows the continuity between the work done by my predecessors”.

Mr Morrison said he was disappointed Mr Turnbull wasn’t sticking around until the next election, but said he was happy that the former prime minister was walking away from the madness of politics and all of the “nonsense” that has occurred.