http://topsy.com/tb/bit.ly/7jWmWl

Mal we'll miss ya!

Dear Malcolm, as a long-time critic, can I say how much I admired you this past week. Your replacement is not fit to fill your boots. You did your best and that's what you can say at the end of the day. You can't talk to people who are deaf and have their heads in the sand. You've won an army of admirers with your performance this week and you stuck to your principles over a largely unprincipled lot. Good on your professionalism, this will carry you well in the near future.

it is a great shame that australia has missed an opportunity to be where we should be - at the forefront of environmental policy locally and globally.

the stance you took was one of a great leader. and, i believe, that the vast majority of australians and liberal supporters back your stance. stick in there. nothing that is worthwhile is ever easy to achieve.

A leader has to bring his team along for the journey...or else he is a dictator

Hang in there Malcolm, like Howard previously, you should be able to emerge from this round of leadership treachery a much wiser and more formidable future leader.

The new leader is leading a group of lemmings over that precipice ahead.

Didn't take long to begin the undermining. We all know what you did in the 2007 election campaign Mal.

Malcolm, as a Young Liberal, I have to say that I have never been prouder to be associated with the Liberal Party as I have been over the past week with your leadership. It is not the Opposition's job to disagree with everything that the Government is trying to pass; the Liberal party had their amendments approved, which would have been a boon to both the environment and also to Australian big business.

You tried to bring the Liberal Party into the 21st century as a credible and reputable option for the Australian people. I am looking forward to following closely your continued work in the lead up to the election.

Also in future on Twitter, you should use a URL shortener like http://bit.ly/

So in stead of posting http://malcolmturnbull.com.au/MalcolmsBlogs/tabid/105/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/697/Senate-Rejects-ETS.aspx,

The link shortens to: http://bit.ly/6cdT6C

Easy peasy!

It's over, accept it. Get behind Tony.

I agree with Tim you would be the first to criticise party members for speaking out against your leadership

Malcolm, I am so sorry and upset about what has happened , but you are an inspiration, and as long as there are people such as you in the Liberal Party, we still have hope that it can one day become the progressive anti-socialist party that was envisaged in Menzies' "Forgotten People" speech. I believe that the right-wingers who now control the Party are completely out of touch with the wider electorate. I hope I'm wrong but I fear that we are headed for a disaster at the next election.

Ahhhh but that's the problem with a democratic system of government isn't it Malcolm. You need to listen to those who elected you, or eventually they'll stop supporting you.

I can understand all your reasons for supporting the ETS, but in a representative system a leader needs to represent those who placed them in leadership.

I'm not a Lib, but I have to say I thought you stuck to your guns mate, and fought like hell. You'll be remembered well for that.

The Liberal Party's amendments to the CPRS/ETS were tantamount to a massive transfer of wealth from the Australian taxpayer to the major polluters. Neither the ALP nor the Liberals were putting the environment ahead of "pragmatism" and the CPRS/ETS ended up as an attempt to do very little to stop Australia's carbon emissions while propping up the industries responsible for the problems.

Having said that, I think Tony Abbott is going to end up dealing the Liberal Party, as a whole, out of any future action on climate change. I hope that moderate Liberals such as yourself and the two Senators who crossed the floor today can make a contribution in the future by engaging constructively with the ALP and Greens even if it has to be done as individuals.

Malcolm, you can lead the Liberals again, or at least a newer version should you choose to make the attempt. People don't want the right wing of Abbott, Australians by nature are moderates. We like moderates be they left or right.

You can relax now Malcolm... but just email me if there's anything I can do to 'unseat' Tony... whooopsy

Malcolm, no, you cannot lead Liberals under the banner: my way or highway.This is not your personal investment/business- this is about me and other aussies.May I remind you we are not all sedated and do work bloody hard and dont wont to see our funds squandered. It is easy for you; you are loaded - I and million of others are not. How dare you even suggest my hard earned yakka is to go to "poor country" ? I am poor.
Pitty you are so very inteligent, handsome, and would make excellent prime minister but not with this view.
Best of luck.

Malcolm, the whiteanting began the moment you became leader. The biggest issue is that these people cannot agree on the colour of excrement, which is why ETS will always be background matter and classed as unimportant. The mark of a man is not how he rides the good times, but how he is able to stand tall when times are tough. Good job. Res firma mitescere nescit.

Enjoy the freedom of the backbench - one day the party will remember the golden rule of politics - sinners, saints and swingers.

Sinners never vote for you
Saints always vote for you
Swingers change governments

Rudd has the swingers and Abbott has just rusted a whole lot of them on to Rudd. I think your performance over past few weeks (including the forgotten Australians speech) has moved a fair few swing voters your way.

Keep talking to swing voters and your time will come.

Well, you got well and truly screwed Malcolm I must say. I don't vote for your mob and never would but I must say, you were very impressive standing your ground.

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It didn't take long for you to start sniping at your own again Malcolm. It is clear to me you have worked hand in hand with Rudd and Labor. I am disappointed this is the case but a leapard cannot hide their spots for long.

Malcolm,
Congratulations on your sterling leadership on climate change. I feel very strongly that you have been thoroughly principled and exhibited fine leadership throughout this saga. I admire your courage, tenacity and determination to provide clear and decisive leadership. You are that rare phenomenon among political leaders, a man who speaks directly and clearly; and one who does not shrink from the hard tasks. I wish you well and pray that you will stay in the Parliament and in time assume leadership again.

You are just too good for them Malcolm. Admire you and your work

Malcolm,

While i don't agree with your stance on the ETS, I am a constituent in Wentworth and hope that you re contest the next election. John Howard proved that politics can be a roller coaster ride, but the ability to contribute and make a difference is significant. Lazarus does indeed occasionally get his triple bypass. Don't give up on Australia or the Liberal Party, because both need you in Federal Parliament.

Malcolm you do remember putting the knife into Nelson's back don't you? You had a good chance to lead the party, you unfortunately did not win over he electorate and you have now been replaced. That's how it works.

Time to pull your head in and be a team player, if you can't do that then resign and let someone else have a go. Nobody likes a sore loser.

Mal, what will do for your next shot at immortality? Republic, Prime Minister, then ...?

Malcolm, what a shame they let you go for Tony Abbott! They didn't know how good they had it with a brilliant leader like you. I can't believe the likes of Wilson Tuckey giving you a hard time for showing conviction, leadership, pragmatism and common sense on an issue where your party was really faltering. Many Australians admire you and have done so for many years. Please don't leave public life because we need people like you to make a contribution. All the best.

Tony Abbott makes The Liberal Party look like a joke. How embarassing! Couldn't blame you if you walked away from this sinking ship Malcolm.

I watched your speech on Thursday night, and have read through your site in full, but nowhere do you explain why the ETS legislation had to go through before Copenhagen. Much of the argument for delay is related to probity about waiting for the outcome of Copenhagen, so that informed decisions can then be made about it. As an ETS on Australia's emissions delayed by a few weeks isn't going to affect global temperature one jot, yet will have a massive impact on ordinary Australians, would you please explain why were you so insistent on the ETS being pushed through before Copenhagen? Thanks very much.

Malcolm. The Liberals two iconic leaders were earlier rejected by their party - both Menzies by the UAP and Howard by the Liberals. Hang in there!

A very disappointing blog Malcolm. I suspect had your comments been different last weekend on Channel 9 you would have got over the line and still been leader.

At least now I can vote Liberal again.

I hear that Tony is assembling a formidable powerhouse of a front bench including Bronwyn Bishop, Barnaby Joyce and Kevin Andrews.

What a line up! They're going to be in opposition for a very long time!

And let's not forget that Tony has also ressurected the rotting corpse of WorkChoices!

More here ...


www.guttertrash.wordpress.com

Sorry Malcolm you're on the wrong side of this issue. If you're wondering how wrong take the time to google climategate.

I was a liberal party member till yesterday. Alex Hawke is my MP but I have helped out elsewhere especially in the Hawkesbury area. I am so upset at the Minchinite Ludite Lemmings taking over the party. However its probably necessary for them to be in for a while to loose the next election so badly that they are finally demolished and cant do any more damage. I will vote somewhere else. It will have to be with the diabolical Greens. I cant vote for Rudd. Just watch the poles now. How anyone can think that moving the party to the right can capture the middle ground I dont know. Every young potential votor I know is absolutely furious.
If you ever need my help just ask. Please do not give up the country needs you. We now have the choice of a person who would have us ride a bike to work, a person who continually states the bleeding obvious or an opportunistic ludite. I am not mad at Abbott, he is what he is, someone with wingnuts on his head, who should be running a health camp. As for Minchin, his sort of behaviour is unacceptable. Minchin deserves his place in history.
I am an expert on soil chemistry and fossil fuels and I met you once and was very impressed.

Congratulations on putting up such a good fight over a worthy issue. The lib party clearly still hasn't adjusted being in opposition. I hope you stay in politics because I think the time will come for a leader like you.

Hi Malcolm, I have been one of your greatest supporters and remain so. Sometimes our greatest disapointments are also an opportunity for us to learn and grow into being a bigger person. I think the failure here was that whilst your passion and desire are commendable, you failed to bring your team along with you, the reason I believe a lot of your party did not follow you was that they were rightly convinced that the Australian public does not yet know enough about the ETS and that the timing of this bill is premature. (I agree totally with this view). Compliance leadership might have worked 30 years ago in politics but not today. Your greatest attribute which is a strong leadership style was also your failure at this tiime! Keep in the race.

Shame you couldn't accept the partys decision and support the new leader,and why have you never conceded the fact that,as climate-gate unfolds,this scam may be predicated on lies,fraud and junk science?Would love an answer to that question as the press will not report on this scandal.And I guess I will be waiting till hell freezes over,whoops,sorry,we all are burnt to a crisp before you reply too.

Malcolm, Integrity and Honour is always paramount and is what you, Ian, and a few others have displayed in this last week. Good on you.. Those who do not honour their undertakings and word are worthless.
The liberal party will never again receive my vote as they are now applauding the turncoats and low- lifes who now RULE the party who do not have an ounce of integrity between them.
Furthermore, I am so disgusted at the latest events that I hope like hell they all lose their seats at the next election. That is the only outcome they deserve.

Malcolm,

I will never vote Liberal. Ever.

But you have sure as hell impressed me over the last week!

Go hard and don't you dare back off now!

And to Lucy ... let him!

x

I would just like to tell you I am the Forgotten Australian you turned your back on at the Forgotten Australians dinner when asked how we can help 3 children living in danger with a convicted sex offender.. As I suffer from PTSD it took a lot of courage for me to go up to you and ask for help for these young innocent children.. What you did was very rude and what has happened to you I could only class as your Karma catching up with you.. Imagine being in a position to help to 3 children the West Australian DCP wont help and you just turn your back.. I have shared my story of this incident all over the net.. Thank you Mr Turnbull for making me feel insignificant again in my life!!

Good on you Malcolm. I'm not a Liberal voter but so admire both you and Joe Hockey for having the intestinal fortitude for absolutely standing by a vote taken by the Liberal Party room to go with the accepted ETS amendments. In this day and age, how many people, let alone politicians,have the courage to stand by an agreement. Having worked in political environments, I have been stunned to observe, when a leader is about to be rolled, how once loyal supporters very quickly run for the corner that will possibly advance both their egos and job advancement prospects. My utmost admiration and, more importantly, you didn't have to pose in the old revealing swimmers to raise some public support.

Malcolm, as you know you have attracted many new supporters. These constitute progressive liberals, disaffected labor and swinging voters who have admired your stance.
A ready base for a third party, of which there is a need now that the Liberal Party has lurched to the extreme right. The thought of Barnaby Joyce on the front bench with Wilson Tuckey ranting from the sidelines is cause for alarm. As for the new leader, Bob Hawke is right when he described Tony Abbot as "temporary"

We await what you will do. Given the state of toxicity within the Liberal Party, it's current reluctance to address climate change and regressive social policies, I am of the view that the third party option may well be the way forward. Certainly it would make the election very exciting indeed.

Dear Malcolm,

The eternal problem for you (and now for Tony Abbott) is that two distinct parties are trying in vain to share the same skin. This leads to conflict on every major policy debate and will continue to guarantee Labor wins by default at every election.

The Progressive Liberals have a basic philosophic difference with the extreme right conservatives on the ETS & Climate, Asylum Seekers, Foreign Affairs, Economics, The Republic - and a host of Social Policy too.

Malcolm, you have the critical mass, guts, profile and financial support to end this deadlocked agony on the non-labor side of politics once and for all.

Please start another Party!!!

If you move, the Conservatives will quickly wither on the vine.

Malcolm - I have been a critic of you since you lost preselection for Mosman against that spiv Phillip Smiles - but in the last 2 weeks I have changed my mind - you have put national interest above your own - I do not believe that there is a place in the Liberal Party for you - but a re-energised and reinvigorated Australian Democrats might be what this country needs - please consider

Malcolm, there is no doubt you are/were a hardworking and intelligent man, which is why it is so disappointing that you can't let this go and are continuing to damage your party and disparage your colleagues. You did not make a 'principled' stand, you just wanted to get your own way as usual without providing a hugely important bill with the scrutiny it deserved. At the end of the day the spill was not really about the bill, it was about you and your arrogance. Politics is about politics funnily enough and your colleagues' views represent that of their constituents - the reason you're in that place after all. Perhaps a by-election would be a good thing. Tony has been voted leader and deserves a chance to get the party back together. You could also jump the fence and join the Labor Party ... but don't sit on the back bench and cause even more problems!! PS. You should update your website to reflect your demotion.

Hey Malcolm

Heres a piece of free advice. Why is it we always see Lucy two steps behind you. Are you incapable of walking on your own. Support of a wife is one thing and to be admired but you should have fronted up to the medial alone yesterday. YOu looked weak.

Dear Insignificant,
Sorry for what you have been through and the impact it continues to have on your life. I think you are being way too harsh on Malcolm. Sounds like a state issue, a state issue for which Malcolm isn't even sharing a border with. I am sure Malcolm feels bad for you but imagine how confronting you must have been for him. I hope you get some good help with your mental health. Malcolm really isnt to blame for this though.

Please Malcolm explain how CO2 can be a greenhouse gas when it is at ) ie zero ppm at 1,5KM

Malcolm, Tony won't last long. Hang in there, forget the Democrats they are dead.

A very sad day for Australia, Malcolm I have so much respect for you! So much respect.

Your 'colleagues' have shown that they are not interested in the Nation and our future. You have attracted supporters and made others admire your approach during the last week and more. I heard Fred Chaney speak about indigenous issues last night and, like the Liberal Party, whilst ever the same old approaches are taken, the same old results are achieved. We are into the 21st Century and should build on the knowledge we have, not hide behind ignorance.

Can someone please tell me where I sign up for the new Turnbull party???

I am very pleased to see the ETS rejected because it does not solve our ecological issues in any way. I am also opposed to it because it is a massive tax on local jobs and living standards. I am sure that you being a silvertail with enough money to buy several cars in one week, could not care that many others simply could not afford electricity under this ETS. My wife and I were already discussing life without any electricity should the ETS be introduced.

I am also very happy to see that you have lost your position as Leader of the Opposition. Not out of spite but of your behaviour. Your ego is not the Opposition and your ways of announcing policy to media before seeking party room support shows that you did not even deserve the position of Leader.

Personally, I hope you leave politics be it by choice or loss at election.

At least now I can vote for the Opposition. With you in charge, I was going to do the donkey.

To add to my previous post, I see you did not take long to start undermining Tony Abbott just as you started undermining Brendan Nelson. Nobody tried to pull you down as Leader, you did that to yourself.

Just quit for the benefit of the Liberal Party. You're nothing but a self centred back stabber!

Malcom, thanks for having the courage and common sense to stand by your convictions. The ETS was quite frankly weak, but atleast it was a start. There are many liberal voters like myself that run huge organisations with massive reach that will punish Abott for his misreading of the political landscape.


TB

What Australia really needs is a totally new third force in politics, intent on building strong & responsible economic policy, and progressive Immigration, social and climate policy.

It needs a new & credible non-labor party intent on forming government - not barking from the fringes like the Australian Democrats did.

Think about 3 things over summer:

1. Money
2. People/ Infrastructure
3. Policy

You can do it Malcolm, and you can be PM one day.

If you move, you will attract more support than the current non-labor rabble of misfits, denialists and disloyal wreckers ever could.

Mr Turnbull showed real character in standing up for something he believes in. Global Warming is real, a look at the IPCC data reveals it and FUD is all the global warming deniers can provide.

The liberals don't need to shift to the right, they need to stay near the middle, embracing science, rationality. Not to the right with the religious nutcases and extreme free marketers exist.

imo 2010 will see a massive liberal loss (the largest in many decades) and after that they will come crawling back to you Malcom, a solid candidate for the middle. I bet the stand you have taken the last few weeks has seen your approval rating shoot up ;) The libs need people like you so they don't go shooting off to the extreme right wing.

Malcolm..Had my differences with you early but your strength through this fiasco has been very motivational. The conservative mob obviously were never going to accept any of the "binding" decisions on this subject and had to keep going until they had convinced Abbot that the "party" was in desperate need of his guiding hand. Ego stroking has always brought the worst out of Tony and so it continues. My concern now is that my support will not go to the conservative right of the spectrum and I need some alternative to Kevin and his mob whose policies are too far left and his beuracratic style is not what Australia needs. Are you going to come up with any options. The outcome wasn't what I wanted but you can hold your head high as a leader in the nations (global) interest. Well Done.

So what's our new centre-right moderate party to be called?

Andrew, above, talks of the split between progressive liberals and conservatives. Elsewhere there is discussion of new parties etc. I must say I saw this potential in you, but was disappointed in just about every stand you took (especially letting the nasties of the far right take over the asylum seeker agenda) except this one.

Still, an impressive stand. Good luck with your future endeavours. A real entrepreneur would probably start a new, proper liberal party though. Just sayin'...

I have been brought up as a Labor supporter as my Grandfather was under Gough Whitlam as an MP! Despite the ties that I have to the Labor Party I would have voted for you, in a second, in a Federal Election. Tony Abbott is an embarrassment to the Liberal Party and I guarantee that he will lose an election against Rudd. His attempts to appeal to the less conservative of the Australian public is laughable. I watched him speak at a Sydney Institute talk and his tone is monotonous and his positions are embarrassing for your party.

I believe that you appeal to both Labor and Liberal supporters for numerous reasons. It is such a shame that this has happened. However, I suspect when Abbott loses the election, Hockey will plead for you to come back to lead the Liberal Party. Fingers crossed!

Maybe the Liberal Party should consider forming two separate parties? I think that the rift with respect to climate change is too big to even attempt to draw the polar opposite views together!

How about:

Progressive Liberal Democrats?

Or maybe just Liberal Democrats like in the UK?

But whatever it's called, affiliate it to the Liberal International... Australia ids the only developed democracy without any affiliate to this esteemed global network of progressive liberals.

You really were too good for that lot, Malcolm. You were the most principled Liberal leader since Andrew Peacock. Get out of politics while you still have a soul.

I am a Labour/Green voter, but I must say Mr Turnbull you really impressed me with your logic and fortitude of principal to do and say what you have done.

Good on you

It looks like there is indeed a groundswell for a third party and it is abundantly clear that the nation does need this option. Meanwhile, the state of the Liberals, the climate change issue and Tony Abbot who is referred to as the mad monk is getting major media attention in the overseas press. The world is watching us. If the zealots and deniers prevail, New-Zealand (which does have an ETS) looks increasingly attractive.

Malcolm,

P-l-e-a-s-e ... get back in there give us some leadership. Australians need you to stay there! :)

Your courage and integrity are rare, if not absent qualities from most politicians. You are an inspiration for many Australians.

We're tired of putting up with pitiful five year-olds that try to pass as adults running the country - for a long time.

There are too many untalented politicians simply trying to feather their own nests rather than looking after the well-being of Australia.

We expect you'll get back there of course!

Best Wishes.

The only way a third party would work with Malcolm in charge is if it was a party of one or if all its members had a lobotomy

Well done Malcolm you have really earnt my respect in the last couple of weeks. For the first time in my life I won't be voting above the line in the senate next election.

Like you I think principles are important

Hi Malcolm,

I can't imagine a more difficult and useless team to try to lead. You're much better off without them.

I've got a couple of t-shirts organised. Let me know your size. :)

http://www.redbubble.com/people/realism/t-shirts/4230788-1-epic-liberal-fail
http://www.redbubble.com/people/realism/t-shirts/4231010-1-wtf-liberal-party

Long live loyalty.

How about joining forces with the Republican Party of Australia and the Secular Party of Australia and lead the joined forces under the new name of the Liberal Democratic Secular Republican Party?

Many in Australia at this time must be admiring your manliness and steadfast sense of principle. Countless young people will appreciate that you tried so hard to join other leaders of good will to give our Planet a chance. Those who screech out against your style and conviction are only revealing their envy of your substance as a man and as a leader.

Dear #ease up

I just wish to say to you my mental condition will never be fixed, the DCP have made it so none of us will truely be alright, imagine being rape, beaten, buried alive, drug tested on and so much more, what would ever fix these problems? My problems in life is fear, fear of being attacked again, fear of people, fear of authority, all because I was a left in the "care" of the state.. MY STATE! My state that tells us we are entitled to ex-gratia payments of upto 80k. My new state leader (Colin Barnett) comes along and tells us we are now under his management and this amont is now halved while his department commit fraudulent claims and massive spending on media n god knows what other rubbish, the same state leader that gives me and many other FAs nothing but generic replies ( do they think we dont ask about each others letters?) and also turns a blind eye to the atrocities thats going on his his state to this day.. Quite honestly whats the point of climate change when our children will have no future. When reports are sent in of children being abused and living in danger and all that have the power to save them just turn their back.. Why did I dig deep and be brave to take this to Mr Turnbull, because nobody in my state gives a damn about children living in danger.. Seems many politicians i have run this by would do the same.. What people need to be doing is look deeper at whats happening to our children, see how much is being swept under the rug.. Its just only yesterday I was told of a DCP house thats a filthy and a squaller not 5 mintues from me.. You say this is something I should be taking up with my state.. My state dont care, my state let it happen, why would I not seek help from a person of higher power or should I just turn a blind eye to the children of the future my state cares nothing for.. Mr Turnbull showed me that words are meaningless, you tell people that you love them, then 5 mintues latter fob them off when something so serious is thrown at them.. I Love my children and this is not how I would act when they came with concerns for one of their friends living in danger, nor should the words I LOVE YOU be thrown around so loosely.. I think its a very sad day when children are just swept under the rug.. As for confronting, I am a tiny, well spoken mouse, nothing confronting here ;)

No to any ETS.

The climate always changes.

Victory is ours for the time being.

I'll always be your fan Mr Turnbull~

You're just too good for them. ;)

P.S... >>

It's time for a new benchmark in politics. Higher values, higher standards and a better rolemodel for future politicians.

Malcolm, you've set the example for them all and you're definitely the man for the job. Let's hope you shake all the rotten apples out of the tree!

Perhaps you'll inspire younger gnerations as well to follow and continue the example you've set.

The voting down of the ETS must be very disappointing for you, your supporters, and the Liberal Party's big business donors.

One thing is clear: the deal you negotiated, while a shocking abuse of the national interest, was the very best deal achievable for your big polluter donors. They're not going to get any better on the table, and most likely significantly worse, after the next election obliterates a party seen to be home to kooks, flat earthers and global warming deniers.

You may want to seriously consider a party split to distance yourselves from the extremist rabble and salvage some seats.

I've never voted Liberal in my life, but after the last few days, I'd vote for you. Hang in there! When Abbott loses the next election, they'll want you back.

I also like the idea of a party split. But that would only work if enough of the moderate Liberals went along with it.

I see the new leader has made a major blunder with targets and he is getting unfavourable press overseas. Meanwhile, the ETS legislation is back before the Senate 2 Feb. We live in interesting times.

There was some interesting commentary this week on the ABC saying that your position on ETS appeals to Labor voters who would never vote liberal in any event. I refute this and consider myself a swing voter. However the behaviour of your colleagues indicates that the party of enterprise also attracts many individuals who are not prepared to consider the national interest over their self interest and those of rent-seeking lobby groups. For a fleeting moment I believed that under your leadership my vote could swing to the coalition at the next election. I fear that it will be a long time before that happens now... but as we have seen, a day is a very long time in politics.

I hope you demonstrate the spine that Costello did not and stay in the game.

Malcolm, the only party you could sucessfully lead to victory would be the Labour party.
The only reason I can see for you supporting the ETS is you could take your 100 million plus fortune and turn it into BILLIONS, at our expense of course.
I don't personally like TA that much but at last we have an alternative to Labour and your 'wannabe like them' , I'll do what their doing policies.
Lastly in one of your recent speeches you notes that as ' one of our political MASTERS....' , sorry, you work for the Australian people, NOT the other way around. Fraudian slip maybe, your true intentions for the people of this country ?

Malcom, you are the right guy for the wrong party...Hopefully a 3rd party will arise which is truly liberal ...

Malcolm - Think you're wonderful and an inspiration and just wish you'd start another PARTY. Think it's high time we left the dinosaurs to their fate. The Liberal Party as I knew it no longer exists

I am shattered by what has happened this week and certainly will never vote Liberal again while Minchin et al are there. With Tony Abbot as leader, the party can truly live up to its label 'conservative'. So what to do ...

We need a new party led by you Malcolm - Liberal Democrat - that isn't about playing politics but is about true Liberalism with a conscience.

You can do it Malcolm - you have proven that you stand up for what you believe in so best to start a party that shares those beliefs.

Malcolm, This situation must hav been terrible for you. I agree with an ETS but not this ETS. The cuts didnt go far enough like the Australian Greens said. As for Abbott and the Liberals I think they ill be banished into the Wilderness now politically for a long time. Abott was never far away from Work choices and I think now his leader again Work choices will be back on the agenda again. A leopard never changes its spots. Even though Im a Green. I feel a bit sorry for whats happened to you.

Malcolm,
you are a rare politician. You have shown guts and principle and you know how important it is for Australia to be positive about climate change.
There are some spineless, self serving mongrels in the Liberal party but you stand head and shoulders above all of them.
David Boyd.

We need to reduce our carbon footprint, not pay the government a new tax.

Stop the back stabbing, work togather and get the government off their high horse.

When Menzies was faced with a similar political dysfunction in the UAP, he brought together many elements in the Australian body politic who needed leadership and organisation.

You are very well able to do this Malcolm, and Australia needs you and a new non-labor political entity more than ever before.

There are a plethora of progressive liberal oriented parties and organisations out there - who need to be tapped on the shoulder and encouraged to step up for the good of the nation. Right now, they are virtually clamouring for change, but largely voiceless. You can be that voice and that leader.

Please talk to your friends within the Liberal Party, but do not forget there are more progressive liberals outside of the Liberal Party than are still within it.

Call a historic 'Wentworth' Conference, or another formative Albury Conference - and make it happen!

I'm very sorry to see what has happened. I'd just like to say that despite not being Liberal, I admire the fact that you stood firm in what you believe and that there must be many more like me who have a new found respect for you for sticking to your convictions despite the heavy cost. Best wishes.

Hi Mal. For the sake of Australian people and this planet, unite the Liberal senators those cares about climate change and vote for the ETS in next Feb.

Your courage in dealing with climate changes makes those climate skeptics Liberal senators look like idiots.

May the force be with you, Mal.

Malcolm, do you see all the comments from labor supporters saying how much they respect you. That is why Liberal voters and your own party turned on you. Go join Penny and the others in the labor party. I can't believe you continue to under mine your own party. Your views do not represent those of the party. Did you bother to look at the result on voting down the ETS or did your bloated ego prevent you from seeing it clearly.

All this commentary reinforces the party decision that Malcolm is not a party man and only out for himself ... perhaps the 'Malcolm First Party' is on the horizon.

When you join a party you accept that your role as a leader is to consult and build consensus and present a joint position to the people based on the collective view of all of your colleagues and the constituents they represent. If you don't, you may as well be an independent.

Politics is not private enterprise (while everyone enormously respects your success there and hoped it would translate), it is not pretty, it is hard work (we know you do that) and most importantly it is the business of representing the people of Australia not just through the polls or your personal ideals but their elected representatives and party members who have their ears to the ground (no idea!).

All voices in the party room are equal and matter as they represent the voices of the Australian people and democracy, regardless of your view of them, they are elected representatives and their views deserve respect.

All of this 'principled stand' discussion is ridiculous, simply look to the secret ballot results.

Everyone is just feeling warm and fuzzy about what 'looks' like a principled stand for the environment. That was the last time you had the power of government and the ability to actually guide the direction of Australian policy and no doubt feel best placed to guide its future direction albeit from the opposition benches.

The most important thing is the best result for both the environment and the country with respect to the rest of the world's decisions. Until the last few days there has been no talk of that.

No-one I know has any idea regarding what the ITS is about. They want to combat climate change and almost feel 'guilted' into supported the bill despite a lack of information. I think that was a lost opportunity both to carry the public and your party members.

For you Malcolm, it goes further than that, and I am sorry to say, to your leadership. You're a dedicated and intelligent man but unsuited to politics.

Malcolm, please, get over yourself and support the party or move onto your next venture and give the party a chance to take it up to Labor. You've achieved so much and throwing grenades from the backbench will damage your credibility forever and damage the party that took you into their fold.

This is a blog after all ... do you have a response?

Give me a break - all you supporters of Malcolm need to understand that he failed to live by the golden rule: listen to the electorate. Like Rudd, Mr Turnbull has failed to understand that the electorate is his boss, and you cannot rule what you don't own.

Go and join the Labor Party Malcolm were your left-wing views are welcome and where you autocratic ways will live just nicely in Krudd's 24/7 environment.

Many hundreds of thousands already support Mr Abbott, and once he becomes known for his personable ways (unlike Mr Turnbull), then I can tell you right now that Liberals will return to government under Tony next year. Mark this day / comment in your diary.

Good bye Mr Turnbull - the Labor Party and Penny need you.

New facebook group: “Malcolm Turnbull should start his own party”
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=203867237528

I was once a strong supporter.

I have to say now you have been, undoubtedly, a disgrace to the Liberal party, getting the 'call' wrong at every turn. You ran scared of electoral defeat believing that the Libs must therefore support the ETS, while Abbott was far more effective in calling the Labor party's bluff.

Your 'calls' have been consistently weak, employed only for political expediency. Please go out quietly and let the Liberal party recover from the deep damage you caused.

Ps. over the Christmas holidays, you might want to read the climate science, not simply the superficial 'summary for policymakers', maybe then you'd realise the emperor really has no clothes.

Do some research and you would realise that even if we are to accept the dubious science, even if the entire world were to adopt a similar scheme to that which is proposed in Australia, even with a higher target say 80% reductions in emissions, this would only effect a potential 0.0001- 0.001°c reduction in temperature. (Professor R. Carter, Professor J. Christy). A simple cost benefit analysis would tell you that it is imprudent to shut down our economy and kill third world developing countries, for negligible environmental impact.

Then again you've never been fond of prudence have you Mal?

Best wishes David

Mr Turnbull,

I congratulate you on your courage and sympathise with you for your defeat. Since the Liberal Party of Australia has taken leave of its moral senses - and set your country on the path to pariah status - it seems to me the most honorable course of action for you, as a man of reason and principle, is to leave the Party.

Watching the ETS debacle from Scotland, I have been deeply dismayed by the conduct and bigotry of too many in your party. Please consider this seriously. There is need for your talents elsewhere: where they can do some good.

Yours respectfully,

Gregory Norminton, Edinburgh

As a long time Liberal Party member, I wish to congratulate you Malcolm for your courage and actions in the national interest - and in the interests of progressive liberalism and our broken Party.

I am horrified by the wrecking tactics of Andrews, Minchin and Abbott - they have destroyed the electoral standing of our Party irretrievably in 2010 and beyond.

As a Victorian, i will quote the words of a friend and former colleague, who is an elder statesman of our Party - his name is Alister Drysdale, a former Senior Advisor to Malcolm Fraser, Andrew Peacock and Jeffrey Kennett.

This is what he had to say in the Business Spectator:

ABBOTT'S WIN IS A BOON FOR LABOR

" Tony Abbott wins, by one vote - so does Kevin Rudd, by a mile.

After an extraordinary week in the history of Australian politics, the Liberal Party chose a leader who will lose dozens of marginal seats. He will run a rump party, confined to political exile for a generation.

Tony Abbott's leadership will not be about claiming the centre ground. It will be about pandering to the far right and centre right - his core constituency.

He will be cheered by the heartland but jeered by mainstream Australian men and women.

This result - unexpected, unprecedented and almost unexplainable - changes the dynamic in Australian politics.

This week the Liberal Party imploded. It ceased to exist as a progressive "broad church". For many unaligned Australians it was exposed as a conservative cabal of misfits, deniers, naysayers and idiots... "

Malcolm, a huge number of Party members wholeheartedly agree with this, and feel that voting for such a Party, controlled by these power hungry destroyers is no longer possible.

Please stay strong, organise cleverly and where you lead, we will follow - for the sake of liberalism and for the sake of Australia.

Go for it Malcolm!!!

The Fabian should join the Labor Party.

As a lifetime Liberal Party voter I could never vote for Tony Abbott - and his rise to the Leadership of the Liberal party signifies to me the party's lowest hour.

I'll be voting Greens or Independent until the Liberal Party recognises its mistake.

I hope the election does come early so that Abbot doesn't have time to make the Liberals completely unelectable

MT,

I do not support the Libs, and never have. I don't think the gov's ETS goes anywhere near far enough but I would like to say this.

I think your performance over the last week was not only impressive, given that you stood for something, it was completely out of character for Australian Politics.

I loved it. And I'm a little sad you lost.

Dear Mr Turnball

As young liberal with a traditional labor family , your leadership over the last few weeks have reinforced my belief in this great political party and why my beliefs are perfectly aligned. Thank you for showing me that strong convictions in the face of adversity is an aspiration that all individuals should aspire to but also the courage to address our young families climate concerns towards to 21st century.

You have our support mr Trunball and we are looking forward to working with your Team in the next election.

Doesn't matter how much money you have, how much sprucing for the media you do, how strong you are in your convictions, this is a much bigger personal saga unfolding than the one playing out in the public-political realms Malcolm. I recommend you find a quiet place far, far away from the media and the machinations of self and others and find the lesson at the deepest level here for you. Then you might decide to quit this adolescent game of bickering, back stabbing and counter accusations and find some place of work where you can really make a difference in the world once you have detoxed from this vicious fight and adversarial lifestyle called politics. Labor and the stable tribe are going to be running the show for a long time to come so you may as well use your life wisely instead of the inane child-like carryings on that has come to define your 'party'. Whilst you are doing some reflecting, check out Joseph Campbell's work on "the Heroes Journey" and watch the dvd "Mens Group"...these will give you a whole new, far more enlightened perspective on what is going on in your crumbling world. Hint...the ego that got you into this draaaama is not the vehicle which will release you from it.

Dear Mr Turbull,

Whilst I can understand your dissappointment at the outcome of the leadership ballot, it nevertheless reflected a change in the party's view on leadership.

You were given just as much opportunity as any to retain that leadership. It is now time to let Tony Abbott have his moment. Rest assured that the voting population and the party's consituents will be watching him intently in the coming months. I would ask that you give him this time, just as you had yours, without seeking to undermine his position, because if you do, then you are truly showing how little you actually support the liberal party in it's efforts to regain government, and that would be treacherous.

So far, neither you or Brendan Nelson, seem to have been able to hold the government to account, or not to any effective measure, which is the role of an opposition. When the party voted in Tony Abbott, they were voting in a man who would take the fight to labor, and I think his personality and convictions are appropriately suite to that task.

The ETS is nothing more than a tax grab to build a slush fund for labor. It would not have altered the climate. It would have decimated Australian industry. There was no perceivable benefit in it for anyone - not businesses (other than the likes of Goldman Sachs-set to be a major player in carbon trading and other financial firms) or the individual , only a heavy , debilitating tax in perpetuity. This has been so eloquently explained by Barnaby Joyce in the recent ETS debates in the senate. The liberal party in appointing Tony Abbott has returned to its root to once again fairly represent the people and the business, and they are to be applauded as such.

Alan Johnston: the definition of a leader is someone who leads. A good example is taking a difficult path when others shy away through cowardice or self-interest. I completely disagree that flat-earthers and denialists require anyone's respect. I'm pretty sure their electorates weren't aware of their denialist views at the last election as ETS was the Liberal Party's climate policy. Also, the fact that it required a secret ballot for the Liberal Party to set their direction on climate change shows the level of courage within the party--none. How about letting Australians know who the flat-earthers are?

The Liberal Party is on a path to destruction, and it's despite the best efforts of MT. He fought the good fight, but through monumental party stupidity and cowardice he was only one vote short. There's no common position on the environment in the Liberal Party, and no chance of a policy that will please everyone.

The "just shut up for the good of the party" apologists might have been handy when the Minchkins started their public attack on the party a month or so ago.

Please hang in! The Party has proved itself unworthy of you - for the time being. I wish I could identify what Industry 'Interests' are pulsing Michael Johnson and the others 'Minchin' around lobbying against the public interest. Would love to expose those interests!

Malcom

I am a labour voter however you are the only liberal leader I have ever liked. Why are Australians so thick? Why can't we ever have a good labour leader and a good liberal opposition leader running the country. Between yourself and Rudd, I am sure you would have helped this great Nation for generations to come.

Say Bye Bye to that now for however long.

I support you.

Dirk: wanting scrutiny and a good deal for all Australians and the environment is not denial. Not allowing your colleagues who represent the people to fully scrutinise legislation that will cost $120b is wrong, esp when the UN says Australia does not need to act now. It makes sense to see what other countries are doing and then work with them to find a sensible solution that will be the best for our people and our environment. Don't get me wrong we need to do something, but let's do it right. Malcolm knew his leadership was terminal and chose the 'principled' stand as a way to garner sympathy for his ridiculous stance. It was about him - not the environment or our people. Do you really want to pay an extra 30% or so on your energy bills for no environmental benefit? If so, good luck to you. I am happy to, but want to know it will have some benefit and I want to know what that is. Taking a stand and being principled is great - but for more than your political future or lackthereof.

ClimateGate slip under your radar did it? Sure, let's clean up the environment. BUT, let's use science, not evangelism and massaged data. Mate, all you had to do was stay out of Kevin the Liar's bed and you would have remained viable. Now, all your railing against the so-called deniers shows that we conservatives who thought you might take down Kevin the Liar, have dodged a bullet.

I was on Botany Bay early last Saturday morning. There was a high-tide. Small waves were washing over onto the tarmac of Carruther's Drive, Dolls Point. The sea-water was washing down into the drains. A few houses across the street were actually lower than the street. They were only being saved from their first sea-water drenching by a 15cm concrete kerb. Just consider the situation if a spring-tide coincides with heavy rain and high on-shore winds! Rockdale council is already sounding the alarm for hundreds of water-side residents and property owners. This is just one of Australia's dozens of water-front councils in the same leaky boat.
If the extremists and climate-change deniers, who have currently high-jacked your party (by merely ONE vote - and a donkey one at that), think the ETS is expensive, then they ain't seen nothing yet. Just surrendering, or reclaiming, valuable waterside property will cost billions alone in Australia.
Just sayin', but I'd imagine most Australian waterside property-owners would be natural Liberal party voters.
Or again, down in Victoria. As a lad I used to swim with my Dad on our holidays in Lake Learmonth (near Ballarat). This Lake is now a sandpit. Dead. Dry. Empty. As Senator Troeth also recalls, this part of Victoria used to receive heavy winter rains. The farmers thereabouts (likely more natural Liberal voters) must be feeling at least some disquiet as they see their environment change around them.
When the better people in the Liberal Party return to their senses and to their principals in the coming weeks, they will realize that the climate-change issue is NOT going away.
Stick around Malcolm, you'll lead them again, yet. They will come to realize that they need you. That is, if they want to come within a bull's roar of being a government again.

@ Eric: I beg to differ. Tony Abbott is revisiting policies which were resoundly rejected at the last election. He must have slept through it. The majority of voters found workchoices poison and expressed the urgent need to address climate change. That he made a major blunder with targets demonstrates he is out of his depth. This and his draconian views on womens and social issues makes Tony Abbott unappealing to the mainstream and swinging voter. As for Barnaby Joyce, he is getting more and more shrill and is bordering on the manic. That is not eloquence or reason. The person who is getting good press is Senator Judith Troeth. I understand her speech in the senate was very good indeed, as was her performance with Kerry O'Brien on the 7.30 report.

Dear Malcolm,

I don't like you and i never will, but you stick by your principles so good on you, fella!

Laterssssssssss

The single most important issue for our country is honestly tackling climate change. That doesn't mean allowing big business to pay to pollute - of course they will pass those costs on to us, anyway.

Most ordinary Australians that I talk with accept that we will all have to pay to remedy the situation and most don't mind - after all there is much at stake so the hard times will be rewarded, we hope, with a viable planet.

Abbott, Tuckey and Minchin are an embarrassment in their climate change skeptic stance...next thing they'll tell us is that the world is flat.

Mr Turnbull, I hope that you will gather your energies and come back to truly represent the people of this country by intelligently seeking lasting solutions for the biggest problem that mankind has ever encountered.

Im not a labor nor liberal supporter - but Im a Turnbull fan - start your own party and I (and many of my friends) will be behind you

F#ck 'em Malc. Go start your own party. You have the brain, balls and backing. I'd vote for a Republican Party.

Karen: Perhaps we are looking for different things out of the leaders and parties going into this election. You seem to be focused on delivery, whilst my focus is on content. I did hear that Ms Troeth gave a good speech. She fortunately works for a party that allows dissent, unlike labor. For all the criticism rightly aimed at the contentions within the liberal party, it does show free thinking is allowed. However, I didn't see evidence of the science she drew upon to draw her conclusions on AGW, but rather her own personal anecdotes. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want someone framing policy based on their subjective experience - and with climategate unfolding, it will pay everyone to revisit the basis of their belief in AGW, afterall, the scientists if the CRU in East Anglia are major proponents of it.

You might be interested to know that there are many labor voters concerned about the ETS(as well as labor MP's in maginal seats). Piers Ackerman wrote recently on this in the daily telegraph.

Tony Abbott has mentioned work choices, but in a more limited context - I guess we have to see as time moves on if he has learnt from his past mistakes - I certainly hope so.

We can expect both sides to wind up the rhetoric as we move forward into the new year, and whilst Barnaby might be sounding shrill, it is in response the the continual droning from Penny Wong and Julia Gillard on 'climate skeptics' and 'climate change deniers' - words used liberally at the end of the debate by these two, and over the course of time. I did notice to , that Barnaby used the term 'working families' often in the debate, the very people the labor government said they wanted to help, but for which this ETS tax will do nothing other than to harm them.

Malcolm,

I am sure that you well understand that the "winner takes all" attitude of the conservatives in the Liberal Party will constantly surface to destroy and wreck any progressive liberal policy position you seek to assert in the future. They will always throw caution to the wind and use their numbers to block you - with disastrous consequences for non-labor politics at the ballot box.

Always.

The only way to move forward, is to effect a de-coupling of the conservative & progressive liberal forces into separate entities. Only this will maximise the non-labor vote, and release the significant number of progressive liberals from having to vote ALP or Green as the least worst option.

If you fight on internally, history will repeat itself. The Minchinites are not going anywhere - and will always fight you harder than they are prepared to fight Labor.

If you separate from the conservative rump, you will successfully change Australia - and maximise the number of Australians who vote "non-labor".

Then you can work and negotiate from a position of strength in politics, and not captivity.

Sorry Mal, but what the hell were you thinking? Climate change and particularly Rudd's ETS is a classic complex "divider" issue. Rudd knows it, that's why you've not seen him out there risking his political life trying to sell it. It's the reason why nearly 80% of Australians haven't got a clue about the details. It's the reason he doesn't want it dissected in committee. So why on earth did you decide to try and do the heavy lifting for him?? Early election? On this issue? It would be the quickest and easiest way back into power!!!

I'll stick to the science: Man contributes 3% to global carbon emissions. Australia contributes 1.4% of the 3%. Or 0.00042% all up. Are you and Rudd really saying if we reduce that to 0.00039% - at a cost of $120 billion - we'll have claimed moral superiority and saved the day? Are you and Rudd really saying that NOT doing this before a world wide deal in Copenhagen was irresponsible or moral bankruptcy?

I had all the time in the world for you, right up until you let Rudd dupe you so hopelessly. Who risked everything for ALP policy? Not Rudd or the ALP - you did. Who risked electoral ire over ALP policy? Under your leadership the Liberals did!!!??? Who is still ranting and raving about it? Not Rudd. You. Mind boggling...

Sorry Eric and all the other conservatives commenting here...

Tony Abbot is not now the Leader because of a more cautious approach to an ETS - he is there because of ideological denialism - and no ETS at all!

Have you heard the results of the change in direction in Higgins?

Peter Costello's seat is set to fall to the Greens, the Liberal vote having collapsed in the 18-35 age group, and with women to 55.

Thanks to you conservatives... we are set for a drubbing in 2010.

You have made an error of terrible consequences for the Liberal Party.

Play the team or quit the party you disloyal creep.

Who you calling "conservative" Andrew? My only political affiliation is with the Trade Unions! And our polling in Higgins isn't showing much movement at all so do please point me to the polling your basing the doomsday predictions on.

It would be ironic for the Greens (who called the ETS a dog from the start and opposed it) to gain votes from the Liberals who actually killed the dog.

Play the team??? Disloyal creep??? Ha ha ha...

I and many progressive liberals assume you are addressing Minchin, Andrew's and Abbott?

You people have taken Party disloyalty to new heights, and proven to Australian voters that your narrow conservatism is more important than the Liberal Party ever was.

When you learn to play the team, we might take you seriously - just like the good liberals of Higgins!

If the shoe fits Eric, wear it.

Ever heard of Malcolm McKerras - check the numbers out for yourself.

Dear Andrew,

I'd like to post a link referencing the Bradfield and Higgins seats, though you specifically mention Higgins:

http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2009/12/bradfield-and-higgins-previews.html

Now, whilst we don't for sure what the outcome will be, it does look likely the liberals will retain Higgins, though they'll lose some skin over it. Given last week's internal party brawling, I'd consider that to be a reasonable result. It's never desirable to see a party tear itself apart, and I for one gained no pleasure at all from watching it, though, as you can tell, I do support the outcome - a liberal leader more in-tune with the values that I identify with, and not only I, but many , many others.

The liberal party could have chosen a different stance in defiance of Rudd, rather than colluding with it. In colluding with the labor goverment they sent a very strong signal to their conservative base that they were more intune with labor than liberal ideals - that was a bad move . If they attacked labor earlier on their ETS scheme, and declared it to be a tax with far-reaching consequences, who knows where the liberal party would be today. If one thing is for certain, Australians do not like hearing about a new tax.

Of course, we could go endlessley over this topic about what could have been, but I consider the test for a leader is to take everybody along for the journey - such a leader we saw in John Howard. It's a rare type of leadership, but he learnt to be inclusive, so perhaps it's possible for others to do the same without fracturing the party, and bringing it to a consensus on the most vital of issues.

Thankyou for your pointer, it's an interesting subject.

Andrwe , by the way, there are 2 different Eric's on here. I'm the more moderate in my language (at least for the moment). I'll call myself Eric B from now on

Yes Eric... interesting.

I have rarely seen so many anti-ALP posts on a blog attacking Rudd and the ALP from a bona-fide trade unionist.

You conservatives are very, very funny.

Watch and weep on Saturday night - you have outsmarted yourselves.

Stick around Mr Turnbull. Australia needs you as PM one day. PM or President.

James. It's interesting. If you visited Andrew Bolt's blog , there is a guy on there who hates this whole ETS stuff, adn AGW. HE declares himself to be a millitant Trade Unionist. He says there are many others just like him. He thinks for himself though - a godd sign.

Here is an interesting video doing the rounds amongst liberals tonight...

And conservatives, please don't associate yourselves with liberalism any longer, you embarrass yourselves (and us) in doing so.

Trying again...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfJpIug6ZpE

You mean the kind of embarassment that Mr Turnbull is creating for himself over his angry interaction with Julie Bishop ? I'm happy not to be associated with that quite frankly, or his behaviour in attacking senior liberal figures on the sunday TV show.

I don't vote for the Liberal Party these days. Malcolm Turnbull's strong stance on climate change action certainly caught my attention. But then all that went to heck in a handbasket due to the rise of Tony Abbott as party leader.

I won't even look once, let alone twice, at the Liberal Party now, with Abbott at the helm. I distrust the ease with which he changes his views and I dislike his brand of conservatism.

With John Howard, people just stopped listening. With Tony Abbott, because of his factional and ideological baggage, they won't even start.

Did you see Julie Bishop's embarrassment when Captain Catholic called her a "loyal girl"...?

Did you see her embarrassment at Abbott waxing lyrical about his fliration with the Deputy Prime Minister, saying "Thank God" when he decided to finish???

They (Minchin, Andrews & Abbott) deserved what the then Leader (Malcolm) called them, wreckers, disloyal and totally irresponsible.

It's true.

It's a shame that the 'new' liberals, such as you Andrew, don't have the decency or ability to keep your feelings in control. You've turned a discussion on the subject of the leadership into something very personal, and yet you fail to see the fault's in Malcolm's behaviour.

A derogatory reference to Tony Abbott's faith(I'm not a catholic by the way) merely reflects on you. Everybody believes something, even it's only in themselves.

You can blame Laurie Oakes for the religious reference.

You can blame Minchin, Andrews and Abbott for our soon to be, electoral rout.

And you should give serious consideration to balming yourself, for being an apologist for the destruction of a once great political force.

BTW - I have been a Liberal for over 25 years, a State President of the YLM, a member of Parliament for 8 years - I am not a 'new' liberal.

I urge you to examine your own concept of 'decency'...

Dear Andrew,

Perhaps you should study how Mr Turnbull undermined Brendan Nelson. Perhaps you should ask yourself where the decency comes in saddling Australia with an onerous debt obligation in the form of this ETS - that will hurt business and ultimately people. You should stop thinking just about winning an election and about what is best for this nation - the ETS most definitely isn't.

Ever heard of a Carbon Tariff????

That would really destroy Australian export industry.

Brendan Nelson, hmmmm.... a moutpiece for the right wing conservatives who by his own admission never voted liberal in his life.

(Except presumably for himself!!

So, Andrew, you consider it was acceptable for Mr Turnbull to undermine Brendan Nelson - let's stop talking about decency then, it's a subject that is still beyond you. Well, I'm glad I'm a conservative. Thank you.

Julia Bishop is WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Eric B...

Nelson was .... what was the term? Oh yes ... A Patsy...

Why are you still on this blog?

Go and join the lemmings on Tony's blog.

The cliff is not very far away.

Dear Malcolm, You as Leader of the Opposition, were warned that your stance should have been leading your team, not being the boss. The Liberal party under John Howard may have had an ETS, but your legislation was flawed just as the Labor Party's. There was no need for any type of ETS. The basis of the legislation was based on concocted data, as shown by the hacked emails of the East Anglia University. The leader of the scientists has since resigned, pending an enquiry, into the "fiddling" of the data. Scientists cannot agree among themselves as to whether global warming or climate change, call it what you will, is caused by man or woman. As far as I am concerned the Labor legislation is just a new tax. They are conducting a massive fraud on the electorate, most of whom are dye hard Labor supporters who do not understand what they are backing. In fact one Galaxy poll said 73% of Labor voters did not know anything about it.
What was needed before backing any government plans, was to explain, in plain English, what was to be achieved, at what cost, in terms of higher prices for electricity, gas, food , jobs etc. We needed explanations why Australia should sign any treaty at Copenhagen, what it would bind us to, at what cost, who were the beneficiaries of the many billions of dollars - many African nations are dictatorship - what control by an un-elected world body over the spending of the money, how long would we as a country be bound by the terms of the treaty, paying $7billion annually, was there an "escape clause" ,if we did not agree with what might be happening. I could go on and on with such questions.
Coming back to your leadership, by your insistence you have divided the once great Liberal Party, very nearly wrecked the Coalition, just because you believed in your own cause. The many hundreds of thousands of Liberal voters, myself fincluded, were ignored. A better waywould have been to pressure the government for a referendum on such an important piece of legilation, that has ever come up in Parliament. Of course that amiable Prime Minister would not have agreed, but he would have been seen for what he is a Rudd Dud. All talk no action. A foul mouthed yobbo,who cannot find time to spend at his desk, who opened up the shorline to all comers and now caanot fix the problem. Perhaps if he had beenattacked on such matters, it would have been a lot better for the Liberal Party and the Country.
I wish you good luck and good health for the future.

We Victorians know who has wrecked the Coalition... and it's not Malcolm.

We are about to lose Peter Costello's seat - and we are unimpressed with this NSW internicene warfare.

If the Liberals and Conservatives cannot live together, then live apart, but do not destroy non-labor politics in this nation.

What about the impact of this infighting on the by-elections in Higgins and Bradfield?? Liberal strongholds that may fall as a result of this ridiculous infighting.

I know one of the bloggers earlier said that being a leader is about leading. That is true, but it is not so simplistic in a political context. Your colleagues are not your employees, they are elected representatives of the Australian people and you must bring them on the journey with you, listen to their concerns and that of their constituents and work with them to communicate policy positions effectively to the Australian public. Malcolm failed on all counts even when a Parliamentary Secretary. Even then he was a bulldozer.

The Australian public thinks so poorly of politicians, after this they are now rolling their eyes and tuning out. For the Liberal Party to have any chance - Malcolm, please go away quietly.

Abbott has already developed some good messaging that is cutting through. Enable him to do so and stop obsessing over this eg the cockroach leak today. Given your previous history, everyone suspects it was you or Chris Kenny or another staffer as another plea for sympathy that you've been so hardly done by!!

PLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE STOP causing problems!!!!!!!!! And let the party focus on rebuilding the Liberal brand and focusing on the next election.

Malcolm take a breath and cease. If you pull yourself up now and start behaving with some grace and statesmanship that might be how you are remembered, maybe, because as Greg points out your track record isn’t great. I remember what you did to Nelson, and Peter King, though I didn’t have a lot of sympathy for him because he did the same thing to Andrew Thompson.

These I am a Labor voter but would vote for you. Be very careful they clearly belong to some unrecognized undocumented demographic group that never ever agree to be polled.

And Julie. She wrote Turnbull but you saw something else. Whose state of mind should we be considering in light of her proof that you were wrong? And your claims about Julie’s attacks on Tony, you allowed her to speak? I think the best that we can allow you is that maybe she paraphrased what you were saying. As to your requirement that she fling herself on the funeral pyre with you, something you don’t require of Christopher or Joe or Greg. Not a good look attacking the woman and requiring her to practice suttee. It makes you look like a bullying misogynist.

Julie did not do this to you.

Hello Malcolm

I am not a Liberal voter, I am a Greens voter and member. Having said that, I am extremely saddened that you are no longer leading the Liberal Party. At least you have the guts and nouse to understand what the ETS is supposed to do. It is a huge travesty that we have the likes of Tony Abbott as the leader of the Libs. If ever someone of his ilk gets into power, I am leaving Australia for good. The Libs are in a mess and it's high time that the old school learn something from this - leave and don't come back. Most Australians don't think like them. We are happy to live in the present, not 1950!

The mad monk's days are numbered.

You fell for all the left wing, labor loving Media tripe old son! You got too close to them all and you forgot about all the real Conservative people out there who are prepared to accept climate change and do something about it....but NOT to thin-lipped Chariman Rudd's timetable.
Get control of the media so you can get your message out next time, and the Libs will have a real chance at the next election. Oh yes, and Abbot will be an excellent fill-in leader until you or Hockey takes it back close to the next election or the one after.
Embrace the fight, get behind your fellow Libs and go get em!

Historian Barbara Tuchman wrote in 1967:

“When it comes to leaders we have, if anything, a superabundance—hundreds of Pied Pipers … —ready and anxious to lead the population. They are scurrying around, collecting consensus, gathering as wide an acceptance as possible. But what they are not doing, very notably, is standing still and saying, ‘This is what I believe. This I will do and that I will not do. This is my code of behavior and that is outside it. This is excellent and that is trash.’ There is an abdication of moral leadership in the sense of a general unwillingness to state standards.” (“The Missing Element—Moral Courage,” McCall’s, June 1967, 28)

Mr Turnbull, you passed the Tuchman test. Congratulations. Whether you were right or wrong, you passed the test.

The big question is, what next? People are wondering if there will be a new Republican Party led by M. Turnbull.

Malcoml

As a person you have my utmost respect. BUT the ETS is dead in the water. We have all be frauded on the overstated contribution of carbon. We have all been distracted from the real environmental issues. Get over it and move on to making a real contribution and dont start trying to appease your bruised ego. It wont help you in any way at all.

LMAO! I just went and checked out Mackerras' OPINION piece in the AUSTRALIAN. Jeez Andrew, are you sure you're a Liberal? I'm talking polling data and you're trying to refute me and predict a result based on freakin' Malcolm Mackerras' opinion!!!??? BAAAHAAhahahaha How the hell did you get elected jumping at shadows?

"We're gonna lose Higgin's cause Mackerras' reckons we will...and he said so...in The Australian."

:-D

Evening Eric and all
It is not getting better for the Abbot. All manner of things brewing, the most dangerous being Kevin is angry and passionate. He is lethal when in this frame of mind and the bland milky bar kid persona may be taking a hiatus for a while. We have the battle between the head kicking rugby player and the obsessive nerd who is very good at chess. It should provide us with an intense, riveting and short drama.

Meanwhile, the sensible senators are looking at Judith Troeth who has achieved significant support and respect for her guts and ability to articulate the climate change debate in a way people can understand. Might she become the pin-up of sanity and reason in what is left of the Liberal Party?

The noise is there are some resigners who realise they were sucked in by the orchestrated e-mail campaigns and thus find themselves captive of the hard right with major regrets.

We await the next chapter.

McKerras has credibility... he created the pendulum, and he polls...

I am also here on the ground, and see it.

Wait until Saturday and then comment Eric A.

Normally I'm vehemently anti-liberal, in part because I've always perceived the liberals as a party that clings to their wallets, believes everything is "communist", celebrates opinionated larrikins, and spits on anyone different, whether in race, sexual orientation, or (dis)ability.

But for the first time, when you were leader of the opposition, I thought: maybe there CAN be a liberal party with values. The liberal party has been forever changed for the better by your leadership. As soon as those laughably out of touch dinosaurs behind the spill turn fade away, we'll be seeing more and more smart liberals like you who, fiscally conservative, also believe in human values: the environment, education, tolerance of "out-groups", and a good life for all. Finally a sensible role model within the liberal party! Thank you for your good work and for fighting the good fight.

BRAVO MALCOLM! :) AM SO DISAPPOINTED YOU AREN'T LIB LEADER ANYMORE. To those who honestly believe that man-made global warming is "a fraud" I just want to say ... pls check the evidence and stop getting your opinions from the local pub. The only so-called "science" debunking global warming that I could find was rubbish published in bogus non peer-reviewed vanity journals that aren't worth the paper they're written on, and clearly are trumped up by the major polluters (cigarette companies did the same thing, remember?) Think about it. There is obvious financial motivation for major polluting companies to pretend that global warming doesn't exist. But what motivation is there to promote the idea that global warming is a problem? Which powerful multi-national corporation is trying to trick us all into reducing our emissions? OR is it just that you don't "want" to believe that G.W. exists, because you're too cheap to pay the price? lol :)

I support Labor. However, for the sake of Australian democracy I look forward to your inevitable return to the Coalition leadership. We can’t have one of our two major parties hijacked by climate change deniers!

Sorry Mal but you have lost it. Don't talk about honour etc. until you have looked the words up in the dictionary. http://www.shareswatch.com.au/blog/opinion/the-madness-of-king-malcolm-and-the-ets/

Were you honourable when you knifed Nelson?

your strong stand on the ETS I"m sure is appreciated by many

I am and am not surprised at your demise.
I can quite believe that John Howard was subjected to the same sort of ordeal on numerous occasions, but chose (out of weakness or cunning) to toe the line in order to stave off a challenge in these last years (not counting his previous demise) and to remain as leader of the liberal party.
The substance you are made of, or appear to be made of, will show through in the end, and I can only hope, that, for the best interests of Australia that more of your like will come forth and take this nation forward.
Australia could right now be leading this world by example - Alas! the Abbot and Senate factor denies this country it's rightful place.
They want us to follow the USA - sob!

I know you won't give up to treachery - Your my type of leader

It is a shame the Liberals have elected to squander your talents and charisma.

However it is also a shame that you and many more like you persist in pushing an ETS down the throats of the Australian Cummunity, I can assure you... the silent majority don't want it!

I am continually dismayed that our elected representatives persist in using the terms Climate Change Deniers or Climate Change Skeptics... we should be referred to as Climate Change Realists! I cannot understand why the Liberals, don't come up with real planet saving alternatives, rather then persisting with an ETS destined to deprive Aussies of a lifestyle they have worked hard for! There is no AGW so why is everyone in such a hurry to fix something that isn't broke? In the last 2,000 years alone the climate has changed a number of times, including the Medieval Warm Period and The Little Ice Age! Man did not cause those climate changes, so what makes us believe we are causing this one? More rediculous, what makes us believe we can change something that is a natural cycle. There is equally, if not more science out there now that makes the IPCC's theories look like the scribblings of a lunatic!

Malcolm,

You are not only ethical but you are a man of sound principle, and as others have pointedly stated, you stand your ground.

It is with esteemed admiration I write and offer support, and look forward to your ongoing role in Government - you have not been, as is obvious, defeated; and in fact, I believe actual 'defeat' for you is impossible. You will always be viewed as an empathetic, compassionate and honourable person whose job though difficult carries the responsibility of regard for the well-being of other humans as well as one's own interest/s. It cannot be argued that you donot have the balance right and you add a wonderfully refreshing human [and humane] touch to the socio-political nature of Government.

This moment is only passing and you are now being further prepared on many levels for a far greater time one would hope, and I, for one, pray that day is not too far away.

Every good boy runs the race to win - keep at it. Go the distance. Keep up your good work.

All the very best,
K.

Malcolm
While many of the above posts rightly highlight the unprincipled, personal vendettas pursued by many so-called reputable conservatives towards you and the values of the Liberal Party, few have highlighted the policy vacuum which has existed among the opposition regarding Rudd Government policy, not merely associated with climate change.
The hypocrisy that constitutes the 'new' Liberal front bench will be revealed.The party needs sound, feasible and costed policy proposals that demonstrate the opposition could provide an alternate government.
Take the opportunity on the back bench to plan and create a Liberal blueprint that will engage Australians and confront the policy high ground the ALP has been allowed to occupy.
Your time will come.
Two suggestions: get Mal Brough back into parliament and work on the Member for Lyne to come into a new, revitalised conservative strategy.
John Benn

Malcolm, I classify myself as a swinging greens / labour voter, but have a huge amount of respect for you and your obvious intelligence. Its horrible to think that some other politicains fail in their duty as respresentives of the people of Australia to take an EDUCATED, and PEER REVIEWED position regarding specific pieces of legislation. Hopefully you decide to stay on post the next election, and continue to bring a balanced view to a party that desperately needs it.

Some time ago Rudd and Wong walked out the ETS. It had a tail like a dog, was hairy like a dog, and even barked like a dog. But Rudd and Wong insisted it wasn't a dog.

Perhaps with their farm origins, the Nationals very quickly recognised it was a dog. The Greens God love 'em took a little more time as they were interested in exactly what breed of dog it was - just incase it needed protection - but soon after labelled it a common Labor dog. The independents refused to pat it and even the Liberals shook their heads.

Then, just when it seemed like Rudd and Wong would have this good for nothing dog scratching around their offices threatening to bite them for the rest of the term along came Malcolm. "If we knit it a nice coat, trim it's hair and teach it a few tricks maybe it won't be a dog anymore." Rudd and Wong were delighted and happily allowed Malcolm and his trainer Ian to leash the dog and take it away.

No matter how hard they tried it was still, and would always be, a dog. But they became attached to the poor little bugger. The dog loved them for giving him a chance and the people saw how they'd looked after him and cleaned him up a bit. When their colleagues would question why on earth they had to put up with Rudd and Wong's dog scratching itself and peeing in their offices Malcolm and Ian screamed "Shut up! It's no longer a dog and we're keeping it! Look! We've taught it to sit and shake hands!"

This disturbed their colleagues. "We're happy for Malcolm to stay in his office but that damn dog has gotta go. Either give it back to it's owners or get rid of it!" But Malcolm, with the dog sitting happily by his side, stated very clearly "If the dog goes, I go too."

And so it was. Now Rudd and Wong are staring at the dog in dismay back in their office. "Maybe a few wet Senators will take him?" Gillard suggests. Yes, lets try that, we'll give the poor dog one more chance....

While I certainly admired your convictions around climate change I think some of your thoughts around ETS were strategically flawed. Yes Climate change exists and is happening, but ETS is not the answer. From my research (and happy to be proven wrong) there are Treasury models that show no improvements to CO2 until 2030 when there is a sharp decline. This decline is based on an assumption that clean coal will make a difference at that time. This tends to allude that if ETS was taken up major pollutors would still produce just as much emmisions, which you could conclude that they purchased sufficient credits to meet power demands. The cost of these credits would then be passed onto the consumer. Where was there any mention of Government support or funds to the research and development of clean energy such as Solar, wind, geothermal or even Fast Reactors.
You should also take the opportunity to nail the labour party with increased prices due to ETS as food, petrol prices would most definitely increase which our mate Rudd said he would decrease.
Now is the time to pull the party together, put past differences away, work on getting Labor out of power and the Libs back in. Remember the politicians of this nation are there to do whats best for the people, not push their own agendas (eg Rudd).

Mr Turnbull you have to be Prime Minister! You have the class and intelligence to do it. Rudd is a New World Order scumbag; censoring our CSIRO scientists by forcing them to agree that the global warming BS is real. Now Rudd wants to trick our children into taking the Swine Flu concoction injections, with God knows what side effects. They say the evil Donald Rumsfeld owns the Swine Flu factories. Defeat the NWO!

Abbott is an embarrassment, wants to re-introduce the defeated Work Choices, and he even met with that Satanist the Dalai Lama.

Andrew, I'm actually on this blog because I did a google search and found the opportunity to voice my concerns both directly to Mr Turnbull , and within a open context that allows for free debate. I respect your position, or rather your rights to hold one different to mine. I only wish that would, or could be reciprocated by you. Why don't you comment in Andrew Bolt's blog - he allows all manner of dissent there and never tries to close down debate - it's something those of a more 'left-wing' persuasion would do well to emulate and is in keeping with democratic values.

I'm hoping that by interacting with others like yourselves we can learn something about each other's views and try to work out the differences.

With respect, this was democracy at its finest. Go Tony!

Dear Malcolm,

Hold your head proud and I want to say you did an admirable job, but advice of strategy. Firstly the vote was totally undemocratic with not all members present to vote , from my understanding. Secondly, I believe the Australian people have the intuition to view the callous and treachery performed upon you, a leader who is not entrenched in their own conservative, narrow, archaic, and egotistical views, like the mad man, who really should go back to his calling, a priest who can hide in his cloak !, and not deceive the Australian people. But he is very clever with manipulation and that is how he has survived from day one !. Any man who walks away from parenting responsibilities, even if the child was later found to be from another , at the time it was thought to be his, is a man with no character. The Australian people are not fooled and I hate to think what his policies will entail, especially surrounding womens issues. His stand claiming ECT as a Tax shows his clever manipulation and wording to scare Australian people and target the ones who do not understand it. There is no way ever that people and companies will change habits unless a cost structure is enforced. He claims to solve the problem with green trading , from our trees and so forth, well why has that not been an option right now then. Because the world will not make huge life adjustments and industry changes unless there is a money deterent. It is like parkinjg. People will park anywhere if there were no fines !!.This is where you must explain how it really will work and how it will encourage all new technologies and new energy companies to arise, and be major competitors. The key in climate change is to start by enforcing cost schemes and then technology must coincide and new technology must come to the forefront.

It is hard to lead a party with only a few people have an insight on policy and politics, not to mention a party room that can dump its leader just six days after it vowed to support him. You have tried hard to prevent the party from going into a catastrophic early election, but do those who dumped you really deserve this hard effort?

Let'em lose, and the Libs will have to have another heavy defeat to find a right direction.

How Kevin Rudd can make Australia the leader of climate change issue while China and the US still haven't settled yet, with such a flawed ETS.

What is the true purpose of his ETS at all?

Eric B, Andrew is a generalisation of the Liberal that inspired me to leave the party many years ago. They feel the best bet is to drift the party left into the center and even contemplate crossing that divide if convenient. They never seem to really appreciate the difference between "secret ballot" and openly voiced opinion. Australians are by nature conservative. Trust it. They'll say things like "we gotta do something about climate change now" but in secret they won't necessarily follow that through. Change in this country requires time, care, patience and a delicate guiding hand. Hard and fast can often inspire grande editorials but more often than not ends in tears.

I concentrated my time and political efforts in the Labour movement. Often frighteningly snubbed by Liberals. From 1996 over 42% of Union members voted Liberal. Workchoices unfortunately more than halved it. But they're not happy. Rudd hasn't delivered. Reith's 1996 Workplace Relations Act proved itself to be both robust and fair. The economy grew and wages with it. Union members like better living conditions and job security - that's why they join. Howard delivered. Further, your average Union member pays more each year "into politics" than most party members and on average are more informed and "active" on relevant issues. Any issue (like this ETS) that threatens cost of living, living standards, wages, economy, job security, and / or their hip pocket grabs their attention. Those that went back to Labor are very soft - all they need is a reason and a secret ballot to come back. MT wasn't giving them a reason - he was seen to be supporting the Government's policies.

Is this really that important to electoral success? Absolutely! Take Eden Monaro for example. Nearly 29000 voters in the seat are Union members. Approx 42% voted for Gary Nairn for 4 elections and he held the seat by just over 1000 votes. Halve the support of Union members and then check the margin Mike Kelly won the seat for the ALP by....it's important.

I can also tell you this was the basis of the "Workchoices Campaign". Each Union member in 24 key seats was identified and individually canvassed. The seats flipped.

What's this got to do with MT and the ETS? Amongst Union members strong opposition to the ETS is not surprisingly (to me) running at approx the same numbers as Howard's old supporters. Combined attacks on Rudd's high cost / low yield debt ridden policies is what they want to hear. Talking up the failures, the slipping standards of living, wage slow downs, job losses is what they want to hear. Complete and utter refusal to ever go near anything even similiar to Workchoices will get them back. The 1996 WR Act was Liberal policy. It worked. Australian workers haven't seen their wages and standard of living grow better or more at any other time.

It is what broke Labor's spine in 1996 - "Howard's battlers". They'll do it again. The Libs shouldn't fear being "conservative". It is more in touch with the secret ballot Australians. Just don't scare them with Lib policy, let Rudd's policies do the work for you. Hence why I found Malcolm Turnbull's support of Rudd's ETS policy mind boggling. Don't do the heavy lifting for Rudd. Make the damn thing heavier and make him lift it! And watch Howard's battlers return to the fold...

Hahhah Nice one about the Dog, Pat!! Gave me a laff!

As for all you Greens and Labor people who say ..."Well done Malcom...I admire your stance blah blah blah"....but unless you are prepared to VOTE Liberal, then your opinions are intersting reading, but will never ever result in the return of a Conservative Government.

What a lovely wedge tactic this was of Rudds and how stupid to fall for it!! The Libs are split, Malcolm is throwing grenades and as John said, the Greens and Labor are saying how wonderful Malcolm for embracing tree hugging and irresponsible fiscal policies that will not work but would never vote for him. Malcolm, don't kid yourself, the vast majority of those saying you did the right thing want you to continue in the party and creating problems so the party implodes. The next election is around the corner and there is too much work to be done for you to behave in this fashion.

Eric A, That's a great insight you have there. I didn't know how deeply the bad feelings towards labor ran in your part of the woods. I'm not in a union (my job doesn't fall into that category) , but I respect the place they have in the work environment, and though I've consistently voted liberal for over 20 years, I've always believed in providing social security and unemployment benefits for those who need it - it's part of being a compassionate society in my belief-and Australia is wealthy enough to do that. I was close to never voting liberal again with the direction the party was going in on the ETS - I simply could not agree to an ETS tax that does nothing other than create financial pain and uncertainty in other people's lives. It's a tax grab, nothing more, and nothing less.

It's dicey game to play, looking to get the 18-34 year old votes and ignore your base. That age group have no committment to a party, and who is to say that they won't just vote labor anyway. If you make the liberal party more like labor, it's too close in image to make a difference in people's minds.

The people aren't dumb, they will know who makes their lives the best it can be.
With the direction that the

Just read Pat's post - hilarious!!! Perhaps you should post it to Malcolm's/Daisy's dog blog!! Would be the best thing on there!!

Next installment:
As predicted Kevin is in lethal form. The chess player is about to checkmate the rugby player.

Some who fell for the plotters and resigned are having major regrets.

Early election looking increasingly likely if Minchin prevails. Copenhagen is key. Given the current state of the Liberal Party they will be hard pushed to have enough people to man the booths.

Business furious at the change in policy. Can't see much in the way of donations from them. No money, bad policies, wrong leader= very bad election result for the Liberals.

mate i and everyone i have spoken to has the same view of what i am about to say

you where our only hope to hold this government to account i am shore u cant remember my tweet i sent to you saying that we needed a strong lib party just like we need a strong lab party...

in my opinion and many more from the people i have talked to has said that abbot will ruin any chance for u to have a slim hope at the next election
and not only that it is clear to all now that just like the lab party there is a huge devision maybe even bigger than lab party or that they are able to get behind their leader allot more than the libs
please run for yourself not in the next election which the libs will loose in a total loss of majority seats in the senate but the one after then the swing voters would have realized who would have been the right leader to go into the next election i bet u will do excellent i am shore u have people out in the community doing this research
is there any way you can make this public it will keep us in the loop

i hope you and your wife and daisy "i am not shore if you have others but i went to scots college around the same time your daughter was at another private school and at the end of year dance i can remember meeting here the name stuck"

i hope you and your family have a great holiday get yourself refreshed and ready for a 2-4 year hard slog don't quit we need u mate. like i said we need a strong lab party and lib party and all we have now is a lab government that is not being held to account there just having games played with them

i know your a very busy man but please try and keep me informed threw tweets or email

you where the only hope we had to hold the government to account

Karen: It was always going to be difficult to prosecute this election. The liberals in my opinion though were heading down a path to irrelevance with them drifitng more to the left. Their only hope was and is to remain true to their core conservative values, and exploit Rudd's weakness's. The ETS tax on everyone and everything. His tendency to start different projects and not follow through (eg. grocery watch, fuel watch). THis could have and should have been the approach all along. Malcolm made a tactical error in colluding with labor over the ETS , when he should have been driving a truck through it's faults.

HI Malcolm,
We are very sorry that you lost the leadership as you had everything going for you but unfortunately you were copying Mr. Rudd's socialist ways in saying you were the leader and that we had to go with your view. A good leader listens to his team and goes by the majority vote even if he disagrees with it. You could have said something like "It is not my personal view but my Party have said...." Had you said you will wait until after Copenhagen to decide we would all have respected that view as 99.9% of people think this way. Please don't spit the dummy and leave, there is always a chance you will be asked to return as leader. Ton Abbott will have to tone down and stop giggling, it would be good if he could have his ears done as this makes him a good caricature for comics and we don't want to be side tracked, Ms Gillard is the one to watch as they are prettying her up to take over as leader, Keep needling her and she will revert to the washerwoman speak of before.
Have a Happy Christmas and remember Muslims celebrate Christmas too as they believe in Jesus and in Mary and Sudanese celebrate Christmas more than we do a Muslim Sudanese lady told me.

One has only to examine some of these comments to realise the profound ignorance there is in the electorate about the ETS. Then again they believed all the bigoted, manipulative crap that Howard used to hoodwink them over the years, so why should we be surprisied? ETS is not a tax, it's not a money grab, it's not a left-wing conspiracy. It's a long term, sustainable way of encouraging industry to reduce their emissions for economic advantage in the future. It will cost some money to implement, a very small amount per capita according to projections, but much less than the catastrophic cost of doing nothing. The long term economic advantages to Australian industry of being at the forefront could be enormous. In Turnbull we had a Liberal leader with an intelligent view of these matters and a truly "liberal" view of the Liberal Party. Instead we are going to have a raving loony mob of hate-filled conspiracy theorists, flat-earthers, bigots, misogynists, misanthropes, and religious (but not remotely Christian) zealots with nothing but contempt for the electorate. The Ruddster must be absolutely ecstatic.

Jane - you're very good on the name-calling, but you still haven't got me worked out correctly.

Eric B, I didn't address any of my comments at you, I didn't even mention you. My spleen is directed at the troglodytes who are the new power base in the Liberal Party.

Jane - if it's not a money grab and is so good for the environment - why won't Rudd explain it? He could still hold the upper ground politically instead of just wedging the Libs. I think you'll find that loads of the general public would support it - if they could just work out what it meant .... Abbott's 'Energy Taxation Scheme' comments resonate much more after all it's all about what it actually means to the everyday Australian.

@Eric B. Abbot's far right draconian policies might get the base excited but they are repugnant to swinging voters. The party that appeals to the centre and gets it right on climate change will win the election in a landslide. The threat of the return of workchoices and the prospect of nuclear reactors shows the extreme right have learned nothing from 2007.Bob Hawke's prediction that Abbot is a "temporary" leader will surely come to pass.

Agree Alan about the need for Rudd to explain the ETS in terms that everybody can understand. The problem may be that Rudd can't explain anything unless it's done in about 20,000 words full of tortured, sleep-inducing language that you need an Oxford PhD to fathom. Turnbull could explain it in more understandable terms than Rudd. We live in a strange world don't we?

I am a swinging voter, conservative in many respects but Climate Change is too important an issue and should be put ahead of party loyalties or ideology. I agree with you Malcolm that we can't afford to do nothing and gamble the future on "maybe the science is flawed". It is good risk management to respond to the risk and take positive action to avoid catastrophic climate change. In risk management terms that would be taking a "conservative" approach. Taking the risk of not responding or responding inadequately is being reckless.

When thinking of the climate change sceptics I am reminded of the phrase “There are none so blind as those who will not see.”

Taking action on climate change also provides an opportunity to make the change to an economy that recognises that resources are finite, and in solving the problems many new jobs will be created in new and emerging industries.

While I am unconvinced that an ETS is the best mechanism, I admire your stand and hope that you continue in politics and to contribute to the call for urgent action on climate change.

@Jane. I agree Malcolm could explain the ETS far better than the verbose Rudd. The other person who I think would be good is Greg Combet. Personally I would prefer him as Climate Change Minister than Penny Wong. He has good communication skills and comes across as believable and ethical. Combet is definitely one of the good performers on the government side. Another one who has earned his stripes is Lindsay Tanner who in my view should be treasurer.

A modest citizen's opinion concerning a climate change and ways to survive in a new environment was condensed in and already provided with the Discussion Paper:
http://whitepaper.climatechange.gov.au/greenpaper/consultation/pubs/0020-kerjman.pdf

Climate change is a very serious humanity-affecting matter while the ETS could tackle it as much as closing the own blinds in home prevents a dawn on the Earth locally.

The consensus view is that we need to act on climate change. The problem is so many people for some unfathomable reason seem to believe Rudd's ETS actually equalled "action on climate change." On one hand perplexing and on the other suddenly made clear when so many people admit they have next to no idea what the ETS is or how it was meant to work.

Action on climate change doesn't have to mean Rudd's ETS - even if it had any merit.

Perhaps the most disturbing theme coming through on discussion boards is that if you're against Rudd's ETS, you're a "denialist" or oppose action on climate change. Malcolm Turnbull has pretty much been saying this same thing. What nonsense!

The scientists tell us that carbon emissions are causing climate change and that 97% of the emissions are naturally occurring. Isn't looking at ways to assist mother nature in absorbing the emissions (less deforestation etc) - i.e. hit the 97% - just as important if not more so then everyone fighting each other over the 3% of emissions? Shouldn't a climate action policy actually include the resources needed - not just a framed incentive - to actually discover the technologies hoped for and required in the future? Is it really ethically or even intelligently sound to base a policy and projected outcomes on an assumption that discoveries and practical technology "will be discovered by then"? If we believe climate action must be taken now, is a policy that only "hopes" to deliver some very small result "by 2030" the best we can do? Should do?

The proposed - and amended - ETS did none of this except the last one. It didn't tax us to fund research and direct action. It taxed us to compensate polluting industry. It didn't seem to even want to mention the 97% of emissions or any approach to minimising their impact. What little funding incentive there was for research was woefully inadequate. The "target" was woefully pathetic without any real, measurable, guaranteed mechanism to ensure it would even be reached.

Give me a policy that actually takes action on climate change and I'll favourably consider it. Tax me to pay for it if necessary - I'll pay. Hell, I'll happily donate my time and effort to help put such a policy together. But please, stop telling me that in opposing the Rudd / Turnbull ETS I've got my head in the sand or that I've somehow disrespected the issue or the planet. It is out of respect, and a sincere desire to tackle this issue meaningfully, that I vehemently opposed this empty and expensive gesture of a policy from the beginning.

Malcolm, enjoy a well earned break over the holiday season and come out fighting. Don't let the crazies win.

Eric A: Agree totally, if only the journos would run the same kind of line. My concern is that this denial line is getting so much traction that anything you say against climate change makes you a climate villian which is ridiculous. That Malcolm is reinforcing this makes it so much worse. The Libs need cut through which is what Abbott did the other day ... he just needs to keep at it over the break. It was interesting to see the change in the energy of the Senate post his press conference. Hopefully that energy and confidence can continue.

Karen: Not sure what 'far right ' policies you are referring to. Could you please elaborate. The nuclear issue is an interesting one. I'm not sure how deeply people are opposed to this. I do have concerns over nuclear power because of the waste, however, from the perspective of having a nuclear power plant it needs to be recognised that they are much better designed these days, so I'm no sure that the concerns over the plants themselves breaking down would be as well justified as some years back (such as the days of chernobol). I'm also not sure that it should be presented as a 'far right' policy- in years to come it may be the only viable option for an increased population, for power and also for water desalination. I would not be surprised if labor even makes a move to try and sell this to the electorate. But one thing is for certain - I'm totally against Australia becoming the nuclear toxic waste dump of the world - which has been discussed in the general media in the past. That's one point on which I totally disagree with Andrew Bolt.

Work choices is a contentious issue - no doubt about it. And Abbott would be wise not to revisit it, and in fact neutralise Rudd's rhetoric on this.

For those who might like to see what others think about 'climate change', read the comments in the following Australian article:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/copenhagen-emissions-deal-would-be-first-step-says-al-gore/comments-e6frg6xf-1225806884476

Eric B. When you quote Andrew Bolt as an source of believable information you do yourself a disservice. Bolt 's arguments selectively use little bits of fact expanded far out of context to make sweeping populist generalisations. You would be far better off reading a broad cross section of real scientists' views. Real scientists' views do vary widely, but an overwhelming majority support the idea of "climate change" based on real scientific research and peer-reviewed ideas and conclusions, not the ramblings of a newspaper shock-jock whose popularity depends on being controversial. And some of the dissenting scientists are quite loopy, like Nils-Axel Morner who believes in water divining and won't put his ideas to unbiased scientific examination. Rather like quoting Alan Jones or Miranda Devine as a source of "facts." Yet you give credit to Bolt as if he had credibility. Remember many of us out here, yes in the Liberal camp, accept this real scientific research as the only reliable guide to the situation that our children have to face, and we want action accordingly.

The spectre of the the Coalition proposing a command and control climate policy while Labor and Greens favour emissions trading as a market solution is more than bizarre.

Maybe fools should be suffered gladly, but the new management is beyond foolish.

Cimategate reaching the mainstream:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgIEQqLokL8&feature=player_embedded

Jane: All I would say is assess what Bolt puts forwards in its merits, and not whether you like him or agree with him on the basis of his politics or otherwise. When Al Gore invests 75 million in green interests it's very hard to see that he is independant enough not to have vested interests in seeing global warming take off.

@ Eric B. With all due respect may I suggest you wean yourself off Andrew Bolt? The man is hard right and is not known for his accuracy. I think you will find the debates quite lively, informed and entertaining over at Jack the Insider in the Australian. You get a good overview of left v right. There are some very witty and intelligent bloggers and Jack himself is amusing and a good writer. You asked me about hard right unpalatable policies:
1.) Workchoices ( we both agree unacceptable to the voters).
2.) Nuclear reactors (cost, use a lot of water, waste, no-one wants one near them).
3. ) Refugee children behind razor wire (illegal under international law).
4.) Abuse of power/ contempt of the rule of law - remember Dr Haneef? Abbot wants Kevin Andrews back on the front bench!
5. ) Climate change denial - a refusal to accept the serious science and move away from a carbon based economy.

Because the hard right do not understand or accept their policies were rejected in 2007, it looks like they will get reminded again in 2010. It will be savage and brutal. The renewal will then begin.

I don't beleive in climate change it is all bull, it is all about power of the green around the world. You australian you have no clue about climate change around the world, you only hear the media and some politician make fun of you to win power, grow up read think or perhaps travel overseas to find out more before you sign such stupid ETS.

Karen:

1. I will check out 'Jack the Insider'
2. Nuclear reactors - people understandably have concerns over nuclear power, but I wonder if in the end pragmatism will over-rule that. France for instance gains much of it's power from them, so people have learnt to adjust - whether Australia can do that remains to be seen. I would prefer no nuclear power whilst we have gas and coal, but the otherside of the coin for 'coal' is that it produces the 'gases' that people don't want. As you can see with some of my posts - global warming is still a highly contentious issue - and 'climategate' is starting to unravel much of what was thought to be good and accurate science in that area.

3. Refugee children - I'm more hardline on all of this, to be honest. Howard's policy towards boat people was much more pragmatic and very effective in preventing illegal immigration. It is a shame that refugee parenst would risk there children's lives omn the journey to Australia. However, I don't know enough about their living conditions aside from the 'razor wire' - if they were without food etc., then definitely I would consider that terribley wrong.

4. Andrews slipped up here, no doubt about it. However, don't forget that he did have a relative who were involved in the terror attacks in scotland. I think we have to learn to give people second chances, unless of course they are behaving deliberately malicously. Australians aren't very good at forgiving , I think.

5. Climate change denial - if you look up climategate, and read about Professor Ian Pilmer, and Lord Mockton, you might understand better why people such as myself doubt AGW. It doesn't stem from sticking our heads in the sand and pretending that there isn't an issue, but rather not seeing the evidence of science pointing to an issue. Additionally, the problem with all of this is that I haven't seen anybody talk about the required constraints on people's lives necessary to halt or reverse AGW - how much do you do to stop the effect of AGW - can it b measured as to whether your efforts are successful ? I do think man would be best to move to non-polluting to minimal polluting power sources as much as possible, basically, because I think we should be good custodians of the environment - but economically that has to be feasible and encourageed using appropriate measures, by the government.

Exit polling in Higgins to 12 noon showing a massive swing against Liberals of 12.2% on primaries...

The afternoon results will be interesting, and we can expect that Liberals will recover somewhat, as the post retail hours vote usually favors us... especially between 4-6pm.

Will it be enough to hold the seat?

Lets wait and see.

Eric B
1.) Nuclear reactors - France does not have the extent of energy alternatives that Australia has. They really had no option but to go nuclear. The cost is prohibitive re: Australia and there is the water problem. Reactors use a lot. That together with the waste issue makes it an unattractive option. Politically very hard to sell. I note Three Mile Island had another radioactive leak recently.

3) Refugees - a difficult problem to which I don't have a satisfactory answer. However, I believe in honouring our international agrrements and respecting international law. Also to treat fellow human beings fairly and humanely. I have met a refugee who spent years in a mandatory detention hellhole in South Australia during the Howard regime. He was denied justice, suffered appalling conditions and was psychologically scarred by his experience. The man was a genuine refugee and with the help of a pro-bono Human Rights lawyer eventually won his case and became an Australian citizen. As for children behind razor wire it is barbaric, psychoclogically harmful and unnecessary.

4.) I attended Dr Haneef's successful appeal and was appalled by the evidence and what the Howard government did to an innocent man who I know was a highly regarded doctor by those who worked with him. What Kevin Andrews did was both legally and morally wrong. He has not apologised to Dr Haneef or to the public. That he has shown no remorse is a damming indictment of his character.

5.) Climate change denial - this requires a seperate post. In essence the serious peer reviewed science clearly shows a link between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The sceptics are in the minority and do not publish in the peer reviewed publications. You will find that they generally have links to the oil and coal industries. In addition to the published science, the evidence of climate change in everywhere e.g. changed rainfall patterns, more frequent and intense fires, disappearing glaciers, major ice shelves breaking away, rising sea levels.

Malcolm,

I think there are many open minded people who are still not entirely convinced about the human impact on climate change. However, it does make sense to reduce emissions if only to clean up our air by reducing our dependence on oil and coal.

For my part I am happy to go along with any schemes for reducing carbon emissions providing we have the world's largest emitters on board.
It seems to me that Australia could have consciously deferred legislating an ETS until after Copenhagen, with the consent of both Labor and Liberal, and a plan to enact the ETS if others committed to similar schemes.

By legislating prior to Copenhagen, surely we would be at a competitive disadvantage if other competitor nations did not sign up.

Had you negotiated the ETS with Labor, "subject to the outcome at Copenhagen", I believe that you would still be leading the Liberal Party.

@Karen - the serious peer reviewed science does indeed show the link between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. BUT, it also shows that man only contributes 3% to global greenhouse gas emissions. And this is about the point where "scientific consensus" on the issue ends.

The politico - scientists suggest that if man reduced his emissions by upto 40% we'd stabilise the global climate. Leaving aside the political nature and debate on this "non scientific consensus" target for a moment, this suggests that a 1.2% reduction in overall global greenhouse emissions will fix the problem.

Why does man have to find the entire 1.2%? Why can't man assist mother nature by either (a) increasing the earth's capacity to absorb the emissions and/ or (b) studying ways if any to reduce the naturally occuring emissions?

Why isn't the Governments focus on reducing the carbon cost of our standard of living - so we can be good global citizens - whilst at the same time maintaining that standard of living? Why must it be a reduced standard? Lazy? Ideological? Because it is just as feasible and possible as their proposal.

@Eric A
The consensus is climate change is happening and something must be done. I am of the view that a multi-factorial approach is needed of which an ETS or carbon tax is but one measure. Restoring forests is very important and I am still perplexed why a sun drenched country like Australia is not aggressively pursuing solar energy (solar towers etc).

While Kevin Rudd was still opposition leader I managed to have quite a comprehensive conversation with him about alternative energy and climate change. At the time he appeared committed but I am of the view not enough is being done. That said, a hostile senate does not help with such obstacles as the bizzare Steve Fielding who is proving to be a menace to humanity. Such is the importance of the issue for me, I may well end up voting Green unless Malcolm can get together a new progressive Liberal Party with a green and social justice emphasis
( naturally pro-Republic ).

Hi Karen. It's funny really. Here I am having left the Liberal Party years ago because of the antics of the left, or the "Group", in the NSW division. I always thought it'd turn the State party into a joke and sadly I was right. They've not been in Government since. So be careful what you wish for. Maybe losing a few good people like yourself to the Greens and keeping the party where it should be - representing the conservative side of the divide - would be best. We've already got two parties fighting over the left side...

I was really hoping I'd find "Andrew" on here. How did McKerras' "credible" opinion work out for you Andy? Next time someone offers you insight into Union polling listen you defeatist.

Malcolm, please don't set up you own political party. Just join the labor party You have done much much more damage to the Liberal Party than Kevin Dudd has done since becoming the pm. You will be a very good marketing man for labor.

@Karen If you check the time stamp my last post was LATE. The point I was trying to make was one of relativity and success. Moderates like your good self get upset when a right wing conservative leads the party, and the risk is you'll walk. But conservatives get upset when moderates take the party to the left, and in my case I did walk. So at best its a much of a mucher.

However, the Liberal party is demonstrably more successful under so called "right wing conseravtives" than when it strays to the moderates. The "Group" for example, or the moderates in the NSW division, very effectively manipulated and controlled pre selections of very moderate candidates through the 90's and into the early 2000's. The NSW Liberal party has been a permanent and ineffective opposition ever since. Federally however the division has been able to put forward more "right" conservatives. And Federally we've spent most of the same time in Government. Which way worked best?

I'd remind you that John Howard was "yesterday's man", a "loser", and a dangerous "lurch to a 1950's version of right wing conservatism" - according to the media and Liberal moderates - when he won the leadership. And he won 4 elections straight.

Politics is about power. Either you can take the moderate approach and spend your time debating which Labor policies to support. Or you can focus on winning and spend your time debating your own policies and implementing them. It is up to the party. But if the NSW division is anything to go by, last week was a ginat step back in the right direction - excuse the pun.

@Eric A. I resigned from the Liberal Party some years ago. It was the destructive and unethical tactics of the Queensland hard right that did it for me. Pre-elections were manipulated and controlled by a meglomaniac ensuring that colourless silent yes men got up with no hope of winning seats. Anyone with talent and conviction was shot down. The meglomaniac has lost his final court case and is now banished. However, immense damage has been done. Members have left in droves and the resulting hybrid known as the LNP is dysfunctional. The Libs and Nats fighting and the two factions in the Libs loathing each other with a passion.

You say the moderates are the villians in NSW. I can assure you in Queensland it is definitely the hard right. I do have good friends in the Liberal Party and wish them well. They have my sympathy now that the lunatic brigade have new fire in their belly.

Are you really excited about the prospect of shrill Barnaby, pre-historic Bronwyn and the repugnant Kevin Andrews on the front bench? Do they strike you as innovative thinkers prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st century?

You correctly say politics ia about power. Far right policies, lack of money and a diminished number of party members is no recipe for winning an election. Abbott will need more than red speedos to be appealing to swinging voters and moderates.

@ Karen. Hehehehe, there's quite a difference between right conservative and "hard right". For sure it can be argued and it is in the eye of the beholder to some extent. Perhaps I should put it this way:

The party sits right of center in the political spectrum. That is its spot and it is actually a nice spot to be in a naturally conservative country like Australia. It cannot drift far off that spot without causing problems. Either way. If it goes too far right, or too far into the center it loses. But right of center is just like the little bears porridge - juuuust right.

Your fear is that Abbott takes it too far right. To be fair what he has said and done before is one thing. What he say's and does now and in the future is more relevant. So your fear really remains to be seen. My fear of Turnbull was that he'd take the party to far left into the center. He did, and both he and the party have paid heavily for it. Howard just couldn't resist after so long trying to control himself and went to far to the right on Workchoices - again at a heavy personal and party price.

Balance is required, and in the Liberal party that balance has to be right of center. Full stop. Not left, center or hard right. Like sailing a boat into the wind. Malcolm kept up the port tack for too long - to stay oncourse a big starboard tack was required. Abbott has provided it.

At the end of the day only time will tell. Neither of us are members, but I suspect we're both sympathetic supporters deep down. Higgins and Bradfield show that the base support is prepared to forgive and forget what can only best be described as a roller coaster of Federal Liberal disaster. Abbott didn't turn them away. One could probably argue he may well have steadied the ship (to keep the nautical theme running). Turnbull made as much impact as Nelson and supporters had their shoulders slumped and heads down. Both had to go. If - and yes it is an if - Abbott can temper himself as Howard did, and take the fight to Rudd then confidence will return.

You can't make inroads into the center unless you've got your base covered. Turnbull tried the one before the other. Abbott can and likely is already consolidating that base finally. The question (apart from the above if) is if he has enough time before the next election to do it after so much of the last two years have been wasted.

@Eric. There is much merit in your comments. Like many, I find myself a voter without a home. It is the new party option for me. Because of my interest in environmental and social justice issues I guess you would put me in the left (not radically so) of centre category.

This is how I view the current parties and why I remain homeless:

1.) ALP- run by bureaucrats and spin merchants. No longer the party of true believers. Has become an insipid milkshake and lost its passion.

2.) Liberals- divided, dysfunctional, poor policies and now hijacked by the extreme right.

3.) Greens - the concept of what they are about is very appealing. However, they appear to have tactical deficiencies, are not always realistic and strange personalities lurk.

4.) Nationals- out of touch, rabid and belong in another century. Infiltrated by the cognitively challenged.

Eric, let me know if you find me a home.

Karen, centre left is (was?) garden variety Labor. But similiar to the Liberal party they aint no bed of roses and have problems. The "common garden variety" is being overgrown by exotic weeds. One of them currently leads the country...imho.

The Greens have been well and truly taken over by the hard left and a host of fringe types. The disenfranchised of the old hard left Unions and hard left ALP keep their numbers up.

I don't think you'd find anything that side of the centre divide to be much of a home...

Absolute centrist parties sound ideal, but don't and can't last. Simply no base and quite a whimsical consituency to rely on in the modern world. If you can still find one, ask a Democrat. Ironically, they killed themselves by thinking they were going too far right and then going so far left they just got absorbed by the two parties already there.

Unless you can reconcile and re-engage with the Libs, I think you're destined to be a political nomad. I went to the Union and found a home where I could engage, help people, and take well aimed swings at both sides of politics when required. But a Union isn't for everybody, and the issues are far more specific and defined.

As a rusted-on Labor voter, I have to say enormous congratulations on your stance while leader of the Conservatives, in the face of the most treacherous political back-stabbling from one's own party I've ever witnessed. You're a politician with integrity, MT. Something of an anachronism for Australian politics.

I do hope for the sake of the country you form anew party please announce before Christmas Abbott will take the country backward s to the 60's
i am very worried about the woman of this country and his policies.
I do have to confess to being a labor voter but we do need a good opposition not what we have now. it is good for democracy to have good opposions.
We had a chance to show the world we could made a dissision together'
and abbott took that away from us.
I wonder what the history books will say about him and his not beleivers.
i suppose we all know how Darwin felt. That was a great series on the abc and i could not help but think of climate change.
i really came to admire you in the last few days and i am sure other labor people have to.
i do hope you decide on a new party it may take some years to be a force but its worth doing,

i am wondering have people especially woman forgotten about his past policies, re womans issues divorce etc please remind every one.

p.s. i do beleive i heard there was only a 60 percent turn out to vote at the by elections perhaps you could mention this.

As mentioned in my email to my Federal Member, Sophie Mirabella, I was disgusted at the whole handling of the ETS and Leadership matters. With Luddites like Mirabella, Minchin and Tuckey et al, the Liberal Party is doomed.
I look forward to the day when the Australian people gain a new Political Party that is truly Liberal and not Conservative.
Malcolm, you did well and lead by example; as The Environmentt Minister, under Mr Howard, you were more aware, forthcoming and approachable than Peter Garrett. Your party would have known from your stance in that position, what your environmental credentials were and are.
Shame on all those '1950's' Liberals and Nationals now posing as an opposition.
To quote a Tradie who was working at my house the other day:
" We might not have liked Turnbull's manner, but he was THE Manager we needed; now we've voted him out. What does that say about us?"

Malcolm,
I am not a Liberal supporter - but I have genuinely admired you (between feeding my baby and changing nappies!) over the past few weeks. I am also VERY scared for the Australia if Mr Abbott (aka Catholic anti-science, anti abortion, anti women in workforce zelot) becomes a PM......... My husband and I would consider moving to another country then! The problem is, the Middle Australia IS conservative, religious, slightly racist so Abbott (and that AWFUL MAN Barnaby Joyce) speak their language. You were simply not right wing enough for the Aussies. However, I know many Liberals who may now vote Labour - just to avoid Abbot as a PM.
We wish you and your family all the best in your career and personal life. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the Turrnbulls!
Ellie (Brisbane)
PS: and Julia Bishop has lost a lot of my respect over the ballot matter.

Enough is enough. The leadership vote of 41-42 is one thing, but the closed ballot on the ETS is quite another. Andrew Robb said that McFarlane did not get enough from Wong, and had you recognized that Mr. Turnbull and said as much, you may still be the Liberal Party Leader. The Coalition is not meant to be a clone of the Labor Party, and your first allegions should be to your colleagues and their majority opinions. THERE WAS NO DEAL as more negotiations on the issue were necessary. You should have elaborated on what Andrew Robb said, but you did not. This attitude lost you the leadership which is very sad. Now, however, you have a duty to the Party of which you are a member. Please do not continue to deride them or you will lose all of your credibility and the public's respect which you must preserve for your future ambitions, etc. I hope you get to read this message and rethink your position.

Hear hear Valda. I hope MT reads these blog posts as well because they make for an interesting political analysis. By far the most support is from self declared Labor and Green voters who have the honesty to point out they didn't, and never would vote Liberal. For every swing voter that liked MT's approach, another didn't. Opposition to MT's approach amongst Liberals however is running nearly 3-1 against! Also helps explain polling that suggests over 43% would vote coalition but only 20 odd percent would've preferred MT as PM. A pretty clear indication that a change in direction was required....I'd have thought.

I agree that enough is enough. MT got the leadership with a double back stab of BN - so a bit hard to complain about similiar treatment. BN's preffered numbers languished in the 20's justifying a change, but so did MT's. So again impossible to complain about. The Grech / Utegate debacle followed by a contrary stance on the ETS to the majority of his own party was really asking for it. Is it really disloyal to remove a leader with languishing numbers, surrounded by controversy, and who insists on positions contrary to his party and support base? I'd have thought the opposite to be closer to the truth.

Whilst I dont side with your political party, or some of your decissions I have to say that the world needs more men like you. You stood up for what you believe in, rose above self-interest and have done so at great personal cost. If my children grow up with half your integrity, I will be very pleased. God bless the remainder of your career.

Its a shame that this may ultimately go to a general election as it will be a vote on climate change not on government. People believe what they want to and not necessarily what is fact. I fear that Tony Abbot's niave 'everything is alright stance', will drown out the many many voices of reason telling us what the risk of innaction really will be.

Right or wrong we cant take the risk. Hopefully you can do more damage to those opinions now that you are free of having to tread a fine line in the party room

There's no doubt about it now. You are the best thing that has happened to the Labor Party in decades Thanks for your help!!! Lots of Love Kev xx

Well done Malcolm - hope to see you back as leader soon

Malcolm,
Reading the responses from people who don't support or vote for you is a sign that you should quit the liberal party and join your true calling...the Labor party...they will welcome you with open arms, and if Rudd is to be believed you once made an approach to join them. Your accusations and sensationalisms that Abbotts plan is bullshit is you at your best...and certainly gives all Australians the true picture of you as a leader...that is a self centered Zealot who thinks he knows best and is not prepared to discuss with the party or the Australian people just what the ETS will involve....You could not wait for the Copenhagen talks to understand the outcomes, but are prepared to sell Australia short....Now you have lost the leadership you are prepared to undermine and snipe like a vindictive child...Leave Malcolm you are a disgracefull loser.

Malcolm,Malcolm,Malcolm..........
Bitter and Twisted.......your aim now is to make sure the Libs never get elected again and that you run as the Labor member for Wentworth at the next election......not correct you say......well that is how you are acting...keep your mouth zipped!

Sorry Malcolm - I thought you were doing a decent job, but you had to be stopped from letting the ETS slide through. It's a joke that would have done wonders for Kevin07's ego, but sweet FA for the environment, and irreparable damage to our economy.

Malcolm if you cant cope with rejection or not being king of the sandbox you are not cut out for politics.

Poitics isnt big business, in politics you have to inspire people to take the journey with you. Both you and the Government failed to to engage us in your vision rather choosing to engage hate speak like "climate change sceptic" to disguise your inability to explain the science and the economics of what seems a fairly complex trading system - a very big tax!

The question is are you serious about a initiating a response to climate change (manmade or otherwise). If you are, then get behind the new leader, get yourself an open mind, and put your talents to work to achieve your objective as a team.

There has been enough ego massaging in recent weeks to do us a lifetime!

Malcolm, I am sure you watched the pathetic disintegration of Mark Latham with pity and horror, so how could you think to attempt to emulate it?

A little piece of reality for you, you LOST the leadership due to some very poor analysis and now you are going to lose everyones respect for the same reason.

I am sure you think you are right, but unless you are intent on trying to destroy the Liberals simply because you are not allowed to lead them, THINK what you are saying and how chirlish and stupid it makes you look.

Yes you are entitled to an opinion but do you really think this sort of spiteful nonsense is credible? You have just lost a vote and then you stand their spitting venom against the person who replaced you. Oh VERY mature! VERY digniified dont you think?

At the end of the day this piece is a sad testimony to the lack of genuine intellect within the parliament and explains why we have something like Rudd in power.

Good for Malcolm! Tony bush fire Abbott is a fool. We live in the driest inhabited continent on earth and the Liberal party is taking chances with the climate. What a pack of morons.

Malcolm with your comments in the media, whose side are you on? If you don't like the Liberal party, declare yourself independent and sit on the cross benches.
At the moment you are looking like a member of the Labor Party.

You are yet to prove that Mr Rudd's ETS policy is anything more then a market driven stealth tax. The party voted, you are no longer the leader. Why can't you accept defeat and move on with your life gracefully?

As a conservative voter, I support the new leader and I would say I am an ordinary working Australian family that Mr Rudd has abandoned with his policy and you wanted the Liberal party to do the same. Ordinary Australians spoke up we don't want a market driven tax.

I wonder who's telling the truth. We have:

a) Climate change alarmists who consider the science is indisputable (despite substantial evidence to the contrary); whose major proponents stand to make billions of dollars off of this scam and who are too scared to debate the facts. They try to push through legislation before Australians become aware of the full extent of what they're about to commit to - something that their kids will no doubt lament with utter disbelief.

b) The sceptics (or deniers, as they've been labelled) who propose a more open scientific forum on the matter and who have put forward an opportunity for open debate in the interests of public understanding.

Geez, I wonder why my bullshit meter is going crazy when hovering over option a).

Wake up, Australia! We're supposed to be much more cynical and intelligent than we're showing. Even if the science is completely over your head (or you just don't care to investigate it), just look at how disingenuous these fraudsters are being and come to the logical conclusion.

You've not been bad, immoral people by working your butts off to keep this country running and in the fine state that it is. You don't owe a climate debt to anyone. This is nonsense and it's so infuriating that so many of you are buying it.

As for Malcolm: I agree with Liz and suggest that you either accept your loss or get out. What you're doing now is shameful, childish and self-serving. You're a disgrace.

Hi Malcom,

I'm puzzled. Why don't you join the Labour Party??

After all, you've just been KRudd's lackey for the last few weeks, not Opposition.

Cheers,

Denis

Hey unfortunate Mal you launched your tirade before last nights Lateline. You keep saying "listen to the scientists!" Perhaps you and Rudd should. The "go to" scientist on Global warming absolutely rubbished yours and Rudd's ETS. He insisted action was required to reduce green house emissions. But of an ETS he said:

(a) Emissions will not drop, they'll actually continue to increase
(b) Polluting industry, with government support via compensation, are encouraged to import emissions permits thus allowing "business as usual" and steady increases in emissions
(c) The biggest winners are the big banks, who will add billions in profits to their already billions in profits through the trading of permits
(d) Coal, perhaps the biggest contributor to man made climate changing emissions, under the Australian ETS policy is protected and encouraged to expand.

In his own words he described the idea of an ETS, and Australia's proposal in particular, to be flawed, does nothing to address the issue of climate change, potentially accelerates the problem, and ultimately shafts the people (us) for no gain. So the voters and the environment lose, climate change gets worse, and the only winners are the big banks and polluting industry.

You are right when you say denial of the science is wrong. But voting against this ridiculous ETS was absolutely right - just ask the scientists. Time to get off Rudd's hobby horse before you fall off and hurt yourself. Oh, sorry, you already have...

You reap what you sow, your silliness and desperate lawyer stance on the "cargate affair" (just pushing for any outcome when your position is lost) muddied your name for good with many many Australians. We don't want to see a very rich lawyer playing games in politics. That said, what on earth have the Liberals gone and done now? Defies explanation, there is no one I can see capable of unifying your party now, be prepared for a long long stint in opposition, but then, you only have yourself and yourselfs to blame. I think your only option is to be a bit quiet and do what should have been your original position... work for the people of Wentworth and let the rest of the party self destruct at its leisure.... then, maybe, people will have forgotten your silly transgressions and you may get another shot at some prominent position in this great nation of ours.

You say; "We had a number of objections to the legislation and back in October the Party Room approved us proposing amendments to the Government which were, in large measure, accepted by the Government."

Yes you were given permission to try and broker a deal acceptab;e to all.

"The Party Room last week accepted the Shadow Cabinet's recommendation that an agreement be reached between the Opposition and Government to pass the amended bill."

Pardon? This isn't what many in the party room reported. But the YOU are/were the Leader.

The secret ballot you were to chicken to allow.... showed that indeed the Party Room did not back or agree to any such thing.

Overwhelmingly YOU lost...

Malcolm......go away...your time is up.You are an embarrassment to the Liberal Party..go and join ALP.
Patrick

Eric above forgot to mention that the scientist on Lateline wanted something stronger than an ets , a Carbon Tax. Why is it thats so many people cant reproduce the whole truth when they write and just distort it?
I dont think we should listen to scientists on economics, anyway but we should to scientists on science. The world is quite clearly warming.
The sad thing for us liberals is that we now have shallow ludite, lemming empty vessels with no intellectual depth of thought as an opposition to compete with a Government that constantly states the bleeding obvious, and does nothing except waist money. Until Malcolms back I have nowhere to vote

12-12-2009,

Dear Malcolm,

I have read all your statements in your press conferences attached to your email.

What a chaos! There are about thirty thousand scientists including about 9000 of them with PHD in physics who are right now looking with astonishment at that global climate conference in Copenhagen. They see that those conferees in Copenhagen are acting on the very wrong assumption that the actual climate change, that we are experiencing, is caused by human factors and that carbon dioxide emission, methane and other greenhouse gases are causing climate change. They must be also astonished that all what those conferees are talking about is not whether humans are causing climate change but how each country is to share the burden in the form of that so called "Emission Trading Scheme".

Neither the politicians nor the media are telling us about the arguments of each camp. This must not be a matter of debate. It should be a matter of pure scientific facts on the basis of which actions by the politicians are to be taken. Only a limited amount of debate can be accepted on what variations of actions to be taken if it became certain that humans are causing climate change.

Amid that chaos I have to find out for myself the truth of the matter. So, I am now examining the findings of each camp of scientists given that it is very unreasonable to brush aside the verdict issued by 9000 PHD physicists.

I intend to write back to you about the conclusion that I will reach after finishing my basic and preliminary examination of those facts.

As for the matter of the leadership of the Opposition I note that it was a very close contest indeed. If those votes of those members, who were absent, were taken you may had won the leadership. However, a dedicated politician or a political leader outside parliament can remain very influential in directing the course of the Nation if they have a strong persuasive cause.
Thanking you,
Your sincerely,
Tosson Mahmoud

Malcolm I thought a recent event in SA might put a smile on your face. The State Council in SA met last week and a former state MP got up and told the assembled delegates that the right wing were effectively destroying the party. There was massive applause and for the first time I can remember Cory et al were speechless. It was priceless! I wish they would all leave and go to the Nationals - they don't have a liberal ( small l intended) bone in their body. Menzies would be ashamed, and so much for Howard's broach church eh! What a joke. Sorry but myself and many others are thinking of leaving the party. It doesn't represent us anymore. BTW Hope you will consider adding your voice to the republic debate. We need you.

Welcome to the new age of Political Correctness and it's latest religion - man made climate change.

Not political correctness you say? Not a religion? Think about it.

Someone told you something is true, but they have no proof. They believe. If you question their belief you're a heretic. You should be attacked, shouted down, labelled and called names. Theirs is the only righteous way of thinking. The faithful's path is the only one to follow.

Has anyone stopped to think. If "they" can't accurately predict the weather next week in one small part of the globe - how on earth can predictions of what the weather will be like in 100 years hold any credibility?

About the only thing the scientists agree on AND CAN PROVE is the climate is changing. Their best THEORY is that CO2 has something to do with it. Unfortunately they are yet to prove the theory. In fact, they can't even model it. Any budding mathematician can tell them that if they can't figure it out, some other crucial piece of data is missing - or - the theory is wrong. But then along comes the religious zeal and political correctness and common sense is shouted down. We can't prove CO2 is the cause, we know man only contributes 3% of CO2 emmissions, but we're convinced man is changing the climate - with CO2 emmissions... Wow - what a leap of faith! Even more astonishing is that we'd be prepared to consider massive change based on such a leap of faith.

Please think. If on any other issue at any other time a Government of any colour tried to implement policy based on faith alone we'd have a revolt. We rightly demand thorough testing, questioning, scrutiny, cost benefit analysis and safeguards. But suddenly, on this issue, that is bad? Or wrong???

We know the climate is changing. We also know it has done so for millions of years with and without man on the planet. We DON'T understand exactly how or why. We DON'T know if or by how much we contribute to it. We DEFINITELY DON'T KNOW if we can manipulate, mitigate, or change it. And we don't know how to change it (or by how much), even if we could. We don't have anything close to enough information to even formulate policy - let alone try and implement any...

This is going to be an issue that all nations are going to have to solve. The issue of environmental protection is going to be key in the next 10 years.

Roger - Trac Trenching