Abbott/Liberal Govt Watch

[BoundaryRider84]

Will they have a spill or will Turnbull just resign and keep face

[Magellan]

Heard some Nationals may cross the floor if Dutton succeeds in his attempts to become PM.

Enough of them cross over and the LNP looses the numbers, Shorten becomes PM.

Is Dutton that stupid?

Indeed. Although the one Nat is saw interviewed on News Breakfast (Kevin Hogan) said he'd guarantee supply and confidence despite sitting on the cross bench. Not sure about the others but I'd presume they'd do the same. Still, a shit look for a newly knighted PM.

[Magellan]

Will they have a spill or will Turnbull just resign and keep face

Or he refuses to concede, and in the interim period between the next sitting of parliament he hopes (a) the constitutional issues come to the fore and damage Dutton, and/or (b) someone more palatable like a ScoMo (can't believe I'm writing that) or Julie Bishop step up to the plate to make it a three cornered contest designed to take the wind out of Dutton's sails.

[Magellan]

ScoMo now to contest the leadership against Dutton.

Told ya.

[heater31]

ScoMo now to contest the leadership against Dutton.

Told ya.

Given Dutton's potential constitutional issues I can't believe he's still pushing to be the leader. Sort that shit out first before taking over.....

[Q.]

Cormann Cash and Fiefield withdraw support for Turnbull. Surely it’s gonna happen now

Cash isn't in jail yet?

[bennymacca]

Apparently not

This is a shambles

[stan]

Cormann Cash and Fiefield withdraw support for Turnbull. Surely it’s gonna happen now

Cash isn't in jail yet?

No but christ the way she covers her tracks so well she probably will be soon.

[stan]

Looks like there will be a sequel to the doco the killing fields.

[Magellan]

From The Age's blog:

Government moves to shut down Parliament

Leader of the House Christopher Pyne has moved to adjourn the Parliament, ending this sitting week early. It would mean the Coalition don't have to deal with parliamentary business until September 10.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke is going berserk.

"No government in living memory has said, it's all too hard. We're just going home," he tells the House of Representatives.

He says there "will be no Question Time today because they don't know who their prime minister is" and "those opposite have stopped governing".

Pyne seemingly trying to buy time for Turnbull.

[Booney]

Can you imagine the mobile network in Canberra right now?

[Corona Man]

ScoMo now to contest the leadership against Dutton.

Told ya.

ScoMo?

I heard someone called Mo-Fo, was having a crack. Assumed it was Tony Abbott.

[JK]

ScoMo now to contest the leadership against Dutton.

Told ya.

ScoMo?

I heard someone called Mo-Fo, was having a crack. Assumed it was Tony Abbott.

Was he wearing a Go-Pro?

[Magellan]

ScoMo now to contest the leadership against Dutton.

Told ya.

ScoMo?

I heard someone called Mo-Fo, was having a crack. Assumed it was Tony Abbott.

Nah, that was Turnbull ('Malcolm's out, **** off'). Abbott', on the other hand, is suffering from FOMO.

[stan]

Turnball has said he won't call a party room meeting unless he gets the signed letter or petition with 43 names on it.

Nice move to be honest, you get to find out exactly who knifed you up front.

Regardless he will be ousted and then he has said he will leave parliament.

[Magellan]

Regardless he will be ousted and then he has said he will leave parliament.

The question is: when? If immediately, it means there'll be a by-election in his seat. Wentworth's a safe liberal seat, you'd think, but anything's possible and the buggerising around to find a candidate is certainly not what a new PM would want to deal with.

[bennymacca]

You’d think it would be at the next election - especially given parliament doesn’t sit till September and we will likely have an election called by then

[mighty_tiger_79]

I heard Bishop is considering running

So ive heard

Sco Mo - worse that Mal
Dutton
Bishop

[Magellan]

You’d think it would be at the next election - especially given parliament doesn’t sit till September and we will likely have an election called by then

Apparently not:

Asked if he planned to stay in his seat of Wentworth if he lost the prime ministership, Mr Turnbull insisted he would quit and force a byelection.

"No, I made it very clear that I believe former prime ministers are best out of the Parliament," he said.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/malcolm-turnbull-digs-in-blames-liberal-forces-on-the-right-for-political-woes-20180823-p4zzai.html

I think calling an early election is unlikely, given the recent machinations are not going to be well received by the electorate. Also, especially if Dutton gets up - he needs as long as possible to transform his image into something that's electable outside of Queensland.

[Magellan]

Julie Bishop's now putting out the feelers for a crack as the top job as well.