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MULTI-MILLIONAIRE FORMER banker Malcolm Turnbull was sworn in as prime minister of Australia last night – just hours after masterminding a coup against conservative leader Tony Abbott.
Turnbull is the country’s fourth prime minister in just over two years – a recent Australian political tradition the deposed Abbott slammed as a “revolving door” that was not good for the country.
Abbott’s two years in power and four years as opposition leader were marked by numerous gaffes which provoked uproar among commentators and fellow politicians.
For instance:
“It’s pretty obvious that, well, sometimes shit happens, doesn’t it?”
- Abbott in October 2010 overheard discussing the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan during a trip.
“No-one, however smart, however well-educated, however experienced, is the suppository of all wisdom.”
- Abbott in August 2013 mistakenly used the word “suppository” rather than “repository” to contrast his campaign before the September election to then-Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd.
“I’m going to shirtfront Mr. Putin — you bet I am”
- Abbott in October 2014 vows to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin at an upcoming G20 meeting over the loss of Australian lives in the Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash.
“There was a holocaust of jobs in defence industries under members opposite.”
- Abbott in February 2015 when questioned in parliament about unemployment and submarine development in South Australia.
“What we can’t do is endlessly subsidise lifestyle choices if those lifestyle choices are not conducive to the kind of full participation in Australian society that everyone should have.”
- Abbott in March 2015 on living in remote Aboriginal communities amid a plan to close more than 100 of them across Western Australia.
New broom
Meanwhile Turnbull, a suave former lawyer and investment banker, has pledged to run a consultative government, in contrast to Abbott’s divisive rule.
Stephanie Peatling / TwitterThe first picture of @TurnbullMalcolm in the #qt chair as Prime Minister captured by @mearesy. pic.twitter.com/W1xSM5EBHq
— Stephanie Peatling (@srpeatling) September 15, 2015
“My firm belief is that to be a successful leader in 2015, perhaps at any time, you have to be able to bring people with you by respecting their intelligence in the manner you explain things,” he said of his nascent premiership.
We need advocacy, not slogans.
Abbott lashed out at the savage nature of modern politics after his sudden toppling by his long-time Liberal Party colleague and rival – who served as communications minister before making the challenge.
“The nature of politics has changed in the past decade,” he told his farewell press conference.
“We have more polls and more commentary than ever before, mostly sour, bitter character assassination.”
New blood
The new leader, with strong support from influential foreign minister Julie Bishop who the party re-elected as deputy leader with a 70-30 vote in her favour, is expected to shake up the cabinet later this week.
He is thought likely to sweep out traditional conservatives and bring in younger blood and more women.
With reporting from © – AFP, 2015. An earlier version of this article was published at 9am.
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Four prime ministers in 2 years – those Ozzies know how to do a heave!
Abbott was a head banger,
Another shrimp for the barbie. ..
More prime ministers that hot dinners down there!
If it’s so easy to get rid of the one’s you don’t like why can’t we?
This new bloke, Turnbull is a new animal altogether – he can actually construct an argument even when he is spouting what comes out of a bulls bum…
Turnbull will take some beating at the next election – be careful what you wish for ‘Straya
Abbott wasn’t complaining about the revolving door when it spun him into the top job.
If I never met another Australian person in my life, I’d be happy. Absolute morons.
Julie Bishop is a bit of a fox. We’re stuck with Joan…
Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie oi oi fackin’ oi cont
Shortest article I’ve ever seen
No comment.
I see they made it longer
Flaming mongrel this guava. Got a personality like a dead dingoes donger. Streeuth.
At least we are not stupid enough to elect a millionaire banker to the top job here
could be better than the usual school teachers with too much time on their hands that get elected
And he voted against the Palestinian people at every turn. Him and Micronesia that is oh, and Harper in Canada also.
good to see that clowns are in government in Other places apart from Ireland
Like him or hate him Tony Abbott was probably the most memorable Prime Minister Australia has had since Paul Keating. Most of the rest were just a line-up of grey faces. Remember when he said he’d be celebrating St. Patricks day with 2 or 3 drinks, and that prig and hypocrite Enda Kenny complained that Abbott was promoting a stereotype of Irish drunkenness (as if Enda’s never taken 3(!) drinks on Paddys day!
What happen to Pauline Hanson & One Nation?
have your say