2009 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill

none April 2022 May 2025 2009 Liberal Party of Australialeadership spill Liberal-Party-of-Australia-stub.svg presidential Caucus no 2008 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill 2008 February 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill motion Feb 2015 1 December 2009 First ballot Second ballot Seat Faction File:Tony Abbott - 2010.jpg 150x150px Tony Abbott 0047AB 35 (41.7%) 42 (50.6%) Warringah (NSW) National Right File:Turnbull.JPG Malcolm Turnbull 0047AB 26 (31.0%) 41 (49.4%) Wentworth (NSW) Moderate File:Joe Hockey portrait 1.jpg Joe Hockey 0047AB 23 (27.4%) Eliminated North Sydney (NSW) Moderate Leader Malcolm Turnbull Tony Abbott 83 caucus members of the Liberal Party 42 A leadership spill was held on 1 December 2009 to elect the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. Tony Abbott was elected, defeating incumbent leader Malcolm Turnbull and Joe Hockey. Abbott thus replaced Turnbull as leader of the Opposition, and would lead the party to the 2010 federal election. The spill was the culmination of a dispute within the Liberal Party over its response to the Rudd government's proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS). Turnbull supported the introduction of an ETS and sought to negotiate amendments to government's proposed legislation. Abbott came to represent many Liberal MPs who were climate change deniers or otherwise opposed the ETS. After Turnbull survived a spill motion (a motion to declare the leadership vacantMacquarie Dictionary Online http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/anonymous@9c90937737757/-/p/dict/aboutMDO.html https://archive.today/20120906004642/http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/anonymous@9c90937737757/-/p/dict/aboutMDO.html dead 6 September 2012 6 July 2010 Macquarie Online Pty Ltd) against his leadership in late November 2009, Abbott declared his candidacy and a subsequent spill was moved on 1 December. Hockey—a moderate who had been a supporter of Turnbull's position on the ETS—also stood. While Hockey had been expected to win, he was knocked out in the first round of voting. Abbott subsequently defeated Turnbull in the second round, 42–41. Julie Bishop, who voted for Turnbull, was re-elected unopposed as the party's deputy leader. Background Malcolm Turnbull was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2004 federal election. In January 2007 he was appointed Minister for the Environment and Water Resources by Prime Minister John Howard.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/malcolm-turnbull-announces-he-will-quit-parliament-and-wont-contest-his-seat-of-wentworth-at-this-years-election/story-e6frf7jo-1225850295689 Malcolm Turnbull announces he will quit parliament and won't contest his seat of Wentworth at next federal election Hudson Phillip 8 June 2010 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 7 June 2010http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/06/2864945.htm?site=sydney&section=news https://web.archive.org/web/20121111065849/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/06/2864945.htm?site=sydney&section=news dead 11 November 2012 Turnbull walks away with swipe at Abbott Rodgers Emma 6 April 2010 702 ABC Sydney Australian Broadcasting Corporation 7 June 2010 After the Australian Labor Party defeated the Howard government in the 2007 election, Turnbull, Brendan Nelson and Tony Abbott announced they would each contest the Liberal Party leadership.http://www.smh.com.au/news/federal-election-2007-news/hockey-out-abbott-v-turnbull/2007/11/26/1195975911281.html Nelson v Abbott v Turnbull Hudson Phillip 26 November 2007 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 7 June 2010 Nelson defeated Turnbull in a ballot after Abbott withdrew his candidacy. Turnbull became the Shadow Treasurer on Nelson's frontbench.http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/turnbull-new-shadow-treasurer/story-e6freooo-1111114994637 Turnbull new shadow treasurer 28 November 2007 The Courier-Mail Queensland Newspapers 7 June 2010 Nelson's leadership of the Liberal Party was beset by poor opinion poll numbers.http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/liberals-push-to-throw-the-book-at-nelson/2008/09/01/1220121136779.html Liberals' push to throw the book at Nelson Coorey Phillip 2 September 2008 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 7 June 2010http://news.smh.com.au/national/liberals-struggled-under-nelson-poll-20080920-4kir.html Liberals struggled under Nelson: poll 20 September 2008 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 7 June 2010 There was speculation that Turnbull would challenge Nelson for the leadership in late 2008; however, Nelson caught Turnbull by surprise by calling a snap spill of the party's leadership positions while Turnbull was returning from an overseas holiday.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/malcolm-turnbull-ambushed/story-e6frf7l6-1111117493685 Brendan Nelson pulls Italian job on challenger Malcolm Turnbull Packham Ben 16 September 2008 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 7 June 2010 The spill was moved on 16 September 2008. Turnbull defeated Nelson by four votes, becoming the leader of the Liberal Party and of the Opposition Coalition between the Liberals and the National Party.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article4763435.ece?print=yes&randnum=1151003209000 Australian Liberals leader ousted in snap election ballot Barrowclough Anne The Times News International 7 June 2010September 2024 medicmedic Nelson later resigned from the House of Representatives.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/brendan-nelson-signs-off-then-hits-the-road/story-e6frg6o6-1225789068423 Brendan Nelson signs off, then hits the road Kerr Christian 21 October 2009 The Australian News Limited 7 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20121002154845/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/brendan-nelson-signs-off-then-hits-the-road/story-e6frg6o6-1225789068423 2 October 2012 dead Climate change policy dispute 130px|thumb|Kevin Andrews in 2014 Turnbull was regarded as a "believer" in global warming. As Environment Minister, he had overseen the introduction of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) as a policy of the Liberal Party shortly before the Howard government's defeat. However, many of Turnbull's fellow MPs in the Coalition were climate change deniers. Tensions within the Coalition on climate change policy had contributed to the downfall of Nelson's leadership.http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/climate-change-debate-gets-messy-20090505-au2p.html Climate change debate gets messy Carney Shaun 6 May 2009 The Age Fairfax Media 7 June 2010 As leader of the Liberal Party, Turnbull supported the introduction of an ETS. In June 2009, he indicated in principle support for an ETS proposed by the Rudd government despite the opposition of his Coalition partner, the National Party.http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/coalition-split-looms-over-emissions-trading-20090531-brqu.html Coalition split looms over emissions trading Davis Mark 1 June 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 7 June 2010 Turnbull subsequently outlined the Coalition's position that it would oppose the ETS introduced to Parliament by the government, but would be open to negotiating an amended version.http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/turnbull-lashes-out-at-climate-sceptics/1578381.aspx Turnbull lashes out at climate sceptics Coorey Phillip 27 July 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 7 June 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110830223925/http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/turnbull-lashes-out-at-climate-sceptics/1578381.aspx 30 August 2011 Turnbull's willingness to negotiate with the government was met with opposition from some Coalition MPs. By September 2009, The Australian was reporting that only 12 of the 59 Liberal backbenchers supported negotiations.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/liberal-backbench-against-negotiating-with-labor-on-emissions-trading-scheme/story-e6frf7l6-1225780706557 Liberal backbench against negotiating with Labor on Emissions Trading Scheme 29 September 2009 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 7 June 2010 On 18 October 2009, Turnbull fronted a meeting of Coalition MPs with a proposal to negotiate amendments to the government's ETS. This meeting supported his proposal, in what was seen as a test of Turnbull's leadership.http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/emissions-trading-scheme-vote-is-malcolm-turnbulls-test/story-e6frg13c-1225787922593 Emissions trading scheme vote is Malcolm Turnbull's test 18 October 2009 perthnow News Limited 8 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120326135844/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/emissions-trading-scheme-vote-is-malcolm-turnbulls-test/story-e6frg13c-1225787922593 26 March 2012 dead dmy-allhttp://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/turnbull-triumphs-on-climate-amendments-20091018-h2fa.html Turnbull triumphs on climate amendments Alexander Cathy 18 October 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 8 June 2010 However, there was speculation that a number of Coalition Senators would defy Turnbull and cross the floor of the Senate to vote against any ETS legislation.http://www.theage.com.au/national/mutiny-looms-for-turnbull-over-emissions-deal-20091017-h26l.html Mutiny looms for Turnbull over emissions deal Gordon Josh 18 October 2009 The Age Fairfax Media 8 June 2010 The ETS opponents argued that it would be premature for Parliament to pass ETS legislation before the Copenhagen Summit on climate change.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/turnbull-faces-ets-revolt-from-ten-mps/story-e6frgczf-1225798561349 Turnbull faces ETS revolt from 10 MPs Maiden Samantha 17 November 2009 The Australian News Limited 8 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110513150209/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/turnbull-faces-ets-revolt-from-ten-mps/story-e6frgczf-1225798561349 13 May 2011 dead The divisions within the Coalition were laid bare in an episode of Four Corners, aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on 9 November 2009. The program featured the Coalition's leader in the Senate, Nick Minchin, suggesting that man-made climate change was a conspiracy of the political left and disputing Turnbull's authority to strike a deal with the government on the ETS.http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-row-hits-boiling-point-20091109-i5g0.html Climate row hits boiling point Coorey Phillip 10 November 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 8 June 2010 Later in the month, Minchin spoke against the ETS in the Senate. Abbott—who had publicly supported the ETS—was now arguing that the Coalition should abandon the policy.http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/turnbull-burnt-by-revolt-on-climate-20091119-ioyt.html Turnbull burnt by revolt on climate Coorey Phillip 19 November 2009 Brisbane Times Fairfax Media 8 June 2010 Turnbull attacked Abbott's change of mind, stating: "Tony has expressed a number of views, each of which is at odds with the view he expressed before".http://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-takes-aim-at-abbott-20091120-iqys.html Turnbull takes aim at Abbott Grattan Michelle 21 November 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 8 June 2010 On 23 November 2009, the Coalition's climate change spokesman Ian Macfarlane agreed to a deal with the government to amend the ETS legislation.http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/turnbull-cuts-a-deal-20091123-iz80.html?skin=text-only Turnbull cuts a deal Coorey Phillip 24 November 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 8 June 2010 The amendments provided industry with substantial compensation and exemptions from the ETS. Turnbull took the deal to Liberal MPs for formal approval, but a majority of backbenchers opposed it. Turnbull nonetheless claimed he had the Coalition's support, by counting as supporters the 20 members of the Coalition Shadow Cabinet who he argued should be presumed to support the deal. This claim was met with rancour by his opponents in the Coalition.http://www.smh.com.au/environment/malcolm-turnbull-survives-backbench-revolt-for-now-20091125-jp3l.html Malcolm Turnbull survives backbench revolt, for now Coorey Phillip 25 November 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 8 June 2010 Anger at Turnbull's response to the 23 November 2009 meeting triggered a spill motion against his leadership three days later. The motion was moved by Kevin Andrews, a former Minister in the Howard government, but was defeated by a vote of 48 to 35.http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/editorial/turnbulls-chance-to-rebuild-20091125-jrr8.html Turnbull's chance to rebuild 26 November 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 12 June 2010http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/turnbull-wont-survive-says-andrews/story-e6frg13c-1225804469394 Turnbull won't survive, says Andrews 27 November 2009 perthnow News Limited 9 June 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120326135859/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/turnbull-wont-survive-says-andrews/story-e6frg13c-1225804469394 26 March 2012 Andrews was not seen as a genuine prospect for the leadership, so the close vote on the spill motion was considered a blow to Turnbull.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/turnbull-has-two-choices-and-both-lead-to-oblivion/news-story/6b999e40ec47a376e52533330f4a6252 Turnbull has two choices and both lead to oblivion van Onselen Peter 26 November 2009 The Australian News Limited 9 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20121002154845/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/turnbull-has-two-choices-and-both-lead-to-oblivion/story-e6frg6zo-1225803942978 2 October 2012 subscription live While Abbott supported Turnbull at the time of Andrews' spill,http://www.smh.com.au/environment/im-ready-to-challenge-turnbull-andrews-20091125-jp7t.html I'm ready to challenge Turnbull: Andrews 25 November 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 9 June 2010 he subsequently resigned from the frontbench.http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/tony-abbott-resigns-from-liberal-front-bench-over-ets-stance/story-e6frg12c-1225804259933 Tony Abbott resigns from Liberal front bench over ETS stance Shanahan Dennis 26 November 2009 perthnow News Limited 9 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120326135918/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/tony-abbott-resigns-from-liberal-front-bench-over-ets-stance/story-e6frg12c-1225804259933 26 March 2012 dead dmy-all Several others joined Abbott in resigning, including Nick Minchin, Eric Abetz, Sophie Mirabella and Tony Smith.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/politics/turnbull-defies-mutineers/news-story/9a4ff70fa29fbde66b504bd7265285ac Malcolm Turnbull defies mutineers Franklin Matthew Shanahan, Dennis 27 November 2009 The Australian News Limited 9 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110119230539/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/turnbull-defies-mutineers/story-e6frgczf-1225804383251 19 January 2011 subscription live Abbott and Hockey challenges Abbott announced on 27 November—one day after Turnbull survived Kevin Andrews' spill motion—that he would challenge Turnbull for the leadership. Abbott committed to withdrawing his candidacy if Joe Hockey was to challenge.http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/turnbull-defiant-abbot-to-seek-leadership/story-e6frg12c-1225805053086 Turnbull defiant, Abbot to seek leadership 29 November 2009 perthnow News Limited 9 June 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120326135941/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/turnbull-defiant-abbot-to-seek-leadership/story-e6frg12c-1225805053086 26 March 2012 Abbott confirmed his opposition to the ETS legislation, questioning why Australia would legislate for a potentially detrimental economic measure before other countries had committed to do the same.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/tony-abbott-will-challenge-malcolm-turnbull-on-monday/news-story/185e968fbb977303f6e6a92fad509422 Tony Abbott will challenge Malcolm Turnbull on Monday Maiden Samantha 27 November 2009 The Australian News Limited 12 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20121003121038/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/tony-abbott-will-challenge-malcolm-turnbull-on-monday/story-e6frgczf-1225804446518 3 October 2012 subscription live A Newspoll released on 30 November placed Hockey at 33%, Turnbull at 30% and Abbott at 19%, when voters were asked who would be the "best person to lead" the Liberal Party.http://www.newspoll.com.au/image_uploads/091109%20Federal%20Voting%20Intention%20&%20Leaders%20Ratings%20+%20CPRS%20+%20Best%20Leader.pdf Newspoll 30 November 2009 1 December 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20091229051314/http://www.newspoll.com.au/image_uploads/091109%20Federal%20Voting%20Intention%20%26%20Leaders%20Ratings%20+%20CPRS%20+%20Best%20Leader.pdf 29 December 2009https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/malcolm-turnbull-pays-the-price-for-mayhem/news-story/1359e4ddeba3853d741a3fe7b355bc7f Malcolm Turnbull pays the price for mayhem Shanahan Dennis 30 November 2009 The Australian News Limited 9 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20121002154845/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/malcolm-turnbull-pays-the-price-for-mayhem/story-e6frg6n6-1225805158001 2 October 2012 subscription live Speculation flourished that Hockey would challenge Turnbull, and Hockey consulted senior party dignitaries such as Howard and Costello about whether he should run.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/joe-hockey-set-to-take-on-malcolm-turnbull/news-story/75f8229e25106717f14f072888611aa8 Joe Hockey set to take on Malcolm Turnbull Franklin Matthew 30 November 2009 The Australian News Limited subscription 9 June 2010 Hockey faced a dilemma. A moderate in the Liberal Party, Hockey had been a consistent supporter of the ETS. Running against Turnbull would mean taking the leadership with the support of the party's right wing and climate change deniers.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/joe-hockeys-political-hot-potato/news-story/307eb856535259599779901bfd7a4b4b Joe Hockey's political hot potato Milne Glenn 30 November 2009 The Australian News Limited subscription 9 June 2010 Turnbull seized on the dilemma, claiming Hockey had given Turnbull his "complete support" and was still a firm supporter of the ETS legislation.http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/malcolm-turnbull-says-he-has-joe-hockeys-complete-support/story-e6frea8c-1225805017942 Malcolm Turnbull says he has Joe Hockey's 'complete support' 29 November 2009 Adelaidenow News Limited 9 June 2010 Hockey attempted to resolve his dilemma by declaring that as leader he would allow a conscience vote on the ETS legislation. Abbott rejected Hockey's declaration, and reneged on his earlier indication that he would withdraw his candidacy for Hockey. Abbott stated: "It now seems pretty clear we could change the leader to Joe and these offensive bills could still go through the Parliament".http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-to-stand-against-joe-hockey-malcolm-turnbull-for-liberal-leadership/story-e6frf7l6-1225805529509 Tony Abbott to stand against Joe Hockey, Malcolm Turnbull for Liberal leadership Farr Malcolm 30 November 2009 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 9 June 2010 On Hockey's candidacy, Turnbull claimed that Hockey had pledged his opposition to the spill motion. However, it was expected that if the spill motion succeeded, Hockey would stand for the leadership against Turnbull and Abbott.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/malcolm-turnbull-and-joe-hockey-are-heading-to-a-leadership-showdown/story-e6frgczf-1225805445067 Tony Abbott reneges on Joe Hockey leadership deal to stand in spill tomorrow Maiden Samantha 30 November 2009 The Australian News Limited 9 June 2010October 2026 medicmedic Hockey was generally expected to win the ballot and become leader.http://www.smh.com.au/national/hockey-sticks-with-abbott-on-front-bench-20091202-k59l.html Hockey sticks with Abbott on front bench 2 December 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 9 June 2010https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=a86ptchJHziI Hockey Likely to Contest Liberal Party Leadership (Update2) Riseborough Jesse 1 December 2009 bloomberg.com Bloomberg L.P. 9 June 2010 To the end, Turnbull refused to stand aside as leader, insisting he would defeat the spill motion.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hockey-ready-to-step-up/story-e6frf7jo-1225805135630 Malcolm Turnbull defiant over his leadership and says he has the support of Joe Hockey should there be a leadership spill Packham Ben Lewis, Steve 30 November 2009 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 9 June 2010 Hockey later alleged that Turnbull had promised he would not stand against Hockey if the spill motion was successful. Turnbull denied that he had given, and therefore broken, any such undertaking.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/paul-kelly/liberal-party-making-policy-on-the-run/news-story/f0a513a7a66006605ff125298e18f5eb Liberal party making policy on the run Kelly Paul 3 December 2009 The Australian News Limited subscription 12 June 2010 Results On 1 December 2009, Liberal MPs convened to consider the spill motion to vacate the leadership. The motion passed 48–34, following which Turnbull, Hockey and Abbott contested a ballot.http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/new-liberal-party-leader-tony-abbott-tells-how-he-plans-to-beat-pm-kevin-rudd/story-e6freuy9-1225805683742 New Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott tells how he plans to beat PM Kevin Rudd 1 December 2009 The Daily Telegraph News Limited 7 June 2010 Hockey was seen as the favourite to win the ballot, but was knocked out in the first round of voting, receiving 23 votes to Turnbull's 26 and Abbott's 35. A second round of voting ensued, in which Abbott defeated Turnbull by one vote (42–41).http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/tony-abbott-to-stand-against-joe-hockey-malcolm-turnbull-for-liberal-leadership/story-e6frf7jo-1225805513782 Premier John Brumby wonders whether new federal Liberal leader Tony Abbott will have his heart in the job Packham Ben Drape, Julian 1 December 2009 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 7 June 2010 Fran Bailey, a supporter of Turnbull, was absent for the vote,http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/liberal-leadership-ballot-decided-by-single-vote-after-victorian-mp-fran-bailey-failed-to-travel/story-e6frf7jo-1225805722739 Liberal leadership ballot decided by single vote after Victorian MP Fran Bailey failed to travel McMahon Stephen 1 December 2009 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 7 June 2010 and there was one vote of "no", which was recorded as informal.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/i-was-asked-to-be-a-hypocrite-i-could-not-joe-hockey/news-story/170f7aa372cbe53de41594ba65deb04a I was asked to be a hypocrite; I could not: Joe Hockey Maley Paul 2 December 2009 The Australian News Limited subscription 7 June 2010http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2758428.htm Abbott wins Liberal leadership (transcript) 1 December 2009 The World Today Australian Broadcasting Corporation 7 June 2010 Julie Bishop remained the deputy leader of the party, without being challenged for the position. Abbott thus became the third consecutive leader, after Nelson and Turnbull, for whom Bishop would serve as deputy.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/julie-bishop-keeps-job-continuity-as-deputy-leader-/news-story/bbac55eb94245b33e35895140a699f40 Julie Bishop keeps job continuity as deputy leader Kerr Christian 2 December 2009 The Australian News Limited 2014-10-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20141009182930/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/julie-bishop-keeps-job-continuity-as-deputy-leader/story-e6frg6n6-1225805929293 subscription live 10 June 2010 After the ballots, Bishop declared that she had voted for Turnbull,http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/deputy-leader-bishop-voted-for-turnbull-20091201-k3lk.html Deputy leader Bishop voted for Turnbull 1 December 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 12 June 2010 although Turnbull doubted her loyalty and Bishop resorted to proving it by retrieving her ballot papers.http://www.theage.com.au/national/bishop-accused-of-dodging-turnbull-20091203-k8tt.html Bishop accused of dodging Turnbull Schubert Misha Murphy, Katharine 4 December 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 12 June 2010 Ballots + Spill motion to vacate leadershipSupportVotes Yes 48 No 34 + Leadership ballotCandidateFirst roundSecond round Tony Abbott 35 42 Malcolm Turnbull 26 41 Joe Hockey 23 Eliminated Aftermath Abbott said he was "humbled and daunted" by his unexpected election,https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/6703542/Mad-Monk-Tony-Abbott-dooms-Kevin-Rudds-Australian-climate-change-bill.html 'Mad Monk' Tony Abbott dooms Kevin Rudd's Australian climate change bill Chipperfield Mark 1 December 2009 The Times News International 10 June 2010 while Hockey expressed surprise at his defeat.http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/hockey-congratulates-abbott-20091201-k2gt.html Hockey congratulates Abbott 1 December 2009 Brisbane Times Fairfax Media 12 June 2010 Upon his election, Abbott acknowledged his propensity for making controversial public statements—which with his Catholicism and background as a trainee priest earned him the moniker of "the Mad Monk"—and apologised for all his "errors of the past".https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8387990.stm Profile: Tony Abbott 1 December 2009 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 12 June 2010http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/abbott-pledges-to-tackle-govt-head-on-20091201-k1hs.html Abbott pledges to tackle govt head on O'Mally Sandra 1 December 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 12 June 2010 A week after the ballot, Abbott named his Shadow Cabinet. Hockey remained in the key position of Shadow Treasurer. Three Howard government veterans—Kevin Andrews, Philip Ruddock and Bronwyn Bishop—were recalled from the backbench, and outspoken National Party MP and climate change denier Barnaby Joyce was appointed to the shadow Finance portfolio.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opposition-leader-tony-abbott-unveils-new-shadow-cabinet/story-e6frf7jo-1225808165535 Opposition Leader Tony Abbott unveils new shadow cabinet Packham Ben 8 December 2009 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 10 June 2010 Turnbull voluntarily moved to the backbench.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/malcolm-turnbull-takes-time-to-rethink-his-future/story-e6frg6n6-1225805931438 https://web.archive.org/web/20100812200356/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/malcolm-turnbull-takes-time-to-rethink-his-future/story-e6frg6n6-1225805931438 dead 12 August 2010 Malcolm Turnbull takes time to rethink his future Berkovic Nicola 2 December 2009 The Australian News Limited 10 June 2010 Under Abbott's leadership, the Liberal Party voted against the ETS legislation in the Senate on 3 December 2009. Two Liberal Senators—Judith Troeth and Sue Boyce—crossed the floor to support the legislation.http://www.smh.com.au/national/divisions-exposed-as-two-senators-cross-the-floor-20091202-k6f5.html Divisions exposed as two senators cross the floor Davis Mark 3 December 2009 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 10 June 2010 In February 2010, Abbott outlined his alternative climate change policy, which would directly fund or subsidise emission reduction measures rather than cap emissions from industry.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tony-abbotts-climate-change-plan-a-populist-con-job/story-e6frf7l6-1225826185124 Tony Abbott's climate change plan a 'populist con job' Franklin Matthew 3 February 2010 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 10 June 2010 Speaking in the House of Representatives in February 2010, Turnbull attacked Abbott's climate change policy and praised the government's ETS legislation. He argued that Abbott's subsidy-based policy would be a "recipe for fiscal recklessness".http://www.theage.com.au/national/brave-turnbull-blasts-liberal-plan-to-cut-emissions-20100208-nna6.html 'Brave' Turnbull blasts Liberal plan to cut emissions Grattan Michelle Arup Tom 9 February 2010 The Age Fairfax Media 10 June 2010 Turnbull later announced he would leave Parliament at the end of his term, before changing his mind within weeks. He claimed that his change of mind was the result of his anger at the government's decision to delay its ETS legislation until 2013.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/kevin-rudd-delays-plans-for-emissions-trading-scheme-until-2013/story-e6frf7jo-1225859004903 Kevin Rudd delays plans for emissions trading scheme until 2013 27 April 2010 Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times 6 July 2010 He denied being interested in regaining the leadership of the Liberal Party, saying "I don't think there is any likelihood of that I assure you".http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/turnbull-to-recontest-wentworth-20100501-tzod.html Turnbull to recontest Wentworth Hayes Isabel 1 May 2010 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 10 June 2010 Turnbull subsequently gave qualified support to Abbott's climate change policy, arguing that while it was inferior to an ETS in principle, it was preferable to the government's approach of delaying action until 2013.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nation/malcom-turnbull-backs-tony-abbott-on-climate/news-story/611e679a2efb5ddbf635b58b75ecc591 Malcom Turnbull backs Tony Abbott on climate Franklin Matthew 19 May 2010 The Australian News Limited subscription 6 July 2010 While it was the third leadership spill motion in three years, the Liberal Party did not attempt another spill motion for six years after, until the February 2015 leadership spill motion which was defeated 61 votes to 39. In September 2015, Malcolm Turnbull called for another spill, directly challenging Tony Abbott in a rematch between the two, and winning the vote 54–44 to return to the position of leader of the Liberal Party, and as a result, displaced Abbott as Prime Minister of Australia. For Hockey it is viewed that his failure to come up with a firm position on the ETS had blown what turned out to be his only chance to become Liberal leader in 2009. When Prime Minister Tony Abbott's leadership came under question in 2014 and 2015, Hockey now Treasurer was not speculated as a potential successor to Abbott. See also Conservatism Australia Politics 2007 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election 2008 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill 2010 Australian Labor Party leadership spill February 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill motion September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill References 30em Category:Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills Liberal Party of Australia leadership election Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill Liberal Party of Australia leadership election