Leadership turmoil continues for Turnbull as MPs resign in support of Dutton
The leadership turmoil continues for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after a string of Peter Dutton supporters offered to resign.
In the wake of yesterday’s leadership spill, which the Prime Minister narrowly won, a wave of Liberal MPs have offered to resign from their frontbench roles.
As many as eight Liberals have quit their ministerial roles, but Mr Turnbull has only accepted the resignation of two.
It’s believed he’s rejected offers of resignation from Health Minister Greg Hunt, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo and Human Services Minister Michael Keenan.
Law Enforcement Minister Angus Taylor also offered his resignation after backing Mr Dutton alongside International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, whose resignation has been accepted.
In her resignation, she fired shots at the party saying, “I made comments pubically about concerns that the party was moving too far to the left and that we were losing our conservative base”.
She also said she suggested months ago the former home affairs minister should become deputy leader.
“I believe this would have been an important move for stability and would help to neutralise some of the more strident criticism.”
But the Prime Minister’s leadership remains on knife-edge as it’s expected he’ll face another leadership challenge by the end of the week.
Liberal Minister Craig Laundy has indicated he believes Mr Dutton lacks the broad appeal to be leader.