PM’s QLD problem
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull is losing his grip on power due to a revolt fuelled by Queensland MPs.
The PM was last night preparing to overhaul a second signature policy in two days, boosting Catholic and independent school fund- ing in a desperate bid to shore up dwindling support. Coalition MPs are now openly discussing the chance of a challenge to the PM before the end of next month with speculation of a move on his leadership as early as this week.
The rebellion in favour of Minister Peter Dutton comes despite the PM’s supporters remaining confident he retains the backing of the party room.
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull is losing his grip on power due to a revolt fuelled by Queensland MPs.
Mr Turnbull was last night set to overhaul a second signature policy in two days, boosting catholic and independent school funding in a desperate bid to shore up his dwindling support.
But Coalition MPs were openly discussing a move to challenge to the PM before the end of September.
Some speculated there could be a move on his leadership this week.
The Sunshine State-led rebellion in favour of Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton comes despite supporters of Mr Turnbull remaining confident he retains the support of the party room.
But a conservative faction of Liberal MPs who want the PM gone told News Corp they believe they are closing in on the numbers to oust him.
One Dutton backer said his man had 45 votes of the possible 85 votes, and it was possible something might happen on Thursday, though it was more likely to come later.
“I think we’ve got the numbers now but we could wait a couple of weeks until we see the next Newspoll — it’s just going to come our way.”
Queensland Liberal MPs have faced a barrage of text messages and emails from angry party members over the past 24 hours with party president Gary Spence privately urging federal MPs to topple Mr Turnbull and replace him with Mr Dutton.
It is understood a handful of Queensland MPs, some who are actively urging Mr Dutton to challenge, have informed Mr Turnbull’s office the Prime Minister was quickly losing their support.
A senior Government source admitted that Queensland was “on fire” against Mr Turnbull but remained adamant there was no more than 20 MPs who support a leadership spill.
The state, which remains critical to the Coalition, would lose at least six seats under current polling.
But Queensland MP Warren Entsch criticised Mr Spence for interfering in party room matters.
“The LNP is in no position to be advising others on how to win elections,” Mr Entsch said.
He said he was not part of any push to bring down the Prime Minister.
Queensland is critical to the government’s fortunes with 26 government MPs hailing from the state, including 18 in the Liberal party room.
A dire primary vote in last month’s Longman by-election and strong support for One Nation and Bob Katter’s Australian Party also has regional MPs on edge.
It is understood Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham was set to make a fresh offer of funding to the Catholic and independent schools sector on a phone conference last night.
A fierce campaign from the Catholic sector was blamed for the Liberals’ low primary vote in Longman and the issue.
After shelving plans to legislate or regulate Australia’s commitment to cut emissions by 26 per cent yesterday — his third position in less than a week — Mr Turnbull said he was “very” confident he had the support of colleagues.
Mr Dutton was part of the leadership group meeting last night which signed off on the policy changes.
“Peter Dutton was at our leadership group meeting this morning and he was at the Cabinet last night. He’s a member of our team. He’s given me his absolute support.”
Mr Turnbull retains the overwhelming support of his ministry, with one cabinet minister saying the potential for any challenge was a “total beat-up”.
“I don’t even think Peter is interested. I think it’s going to be a damp squib”.
Another cabinet minister said he did not believe rebels had anywhere near the numbers they claim. In another setback for Mr Turnbull, a lastminute compromise to its corporate tax cuts package has been knocked back by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
“I think we’ve got the numbers now but we could wait a couple of weeks until we see the next Newspoll — it’s just going to come our way.” UNNAMED DUTTON BACKER