News: Malcolm Turnbull Retains Liberal Opposition Leadership

At about 1:18PM today the results of the vote on the Liberal party leadership spill were announced.

A secret ballot was taken in a meeting called by Turnbull himself in response to growing Liberal party disharmony over his decision that the party will support the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). Some Liberal MPs argued that his call was premature and not in the party’s interest.

Malcolm Turnbull has retained his position as leader of the Liberal party by a margin of 13 votes, with a count of 48 votes to 35 in his favour.

This support means that the CPRS may have a chance of passing through the Senate without the support of the Greens, Family First or Nick Xenophon. However, the stance of some Liberal senators prior to the vote suggests that it may still not have the support of the whole Liberal party.

Posted: 1:30PM AEST on the  25/11/2009