PM throws Parliament into chaos to engineer handing of leadership to Scott Morrison

Malcolm Turnbull leaving the House of Representatives Chamber — most likely for the final time as PM — after the vote to adjourn Parliament. Picture: Kym Smith

Malcolm Turnbull has thrown Parliament into chaos in a bid to engineer the handing of his leadership to Scott Morrison and head off Peter Dutton.

Instead of calling a leadership spill and partyroom meeting today to settle the claims he had lost the support of his party, the Prime Minister has adjourned the House of Representatives.

It is an extraordinary move that has created chaos and confusion amongst his colleagues and looks undemocratic.

After a slew of ministers resigned and it was clear Turnbull’s leadership was finished there was the expectation that he would step aside or call a leadership spill to settle the issue once and for all.

There were discussions of postponing Question Time to allow the party to deal with the leadership, swear in new ministers and continue the business of the day.

Supporters of Dutton are incredulous that the House of Representatives has been suspended and now believe Turnbull’s demand that there be a petition with 43 signatures ahead of tomorrow’s partyroom meeting at noon will be easily met.

Mathias Cormann this morning left Turnbull without any choice but to call a leadership spill or resign.

The Prime Minister had lost his praetorian guard and much of the Cabinet.

Cormann, Michaela Cash and Mitch Fifield have revealed they were taken by surprise by the ambush of Peter Dutton on Monday and since then have become aware of enough Liberal MPs who have switched to give Dutton the numbers.

Turnbull’s leadership is terminal, his position is untenable.