Liberal Party of Australia leadership election, 2008
An election for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Australia was held on 16 September 2008.[1] The successful candidate was Malcolm Turnbull who defeated former leader Brendan Nelson.[2] The leadership of the party had been declared vacant by incumbent Brendan Nelson the day before.
Background
The Liberal-National coalition led by Prime Minister John Howard was defeated at the 2007 federal election by the Australian Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd. In the aftermath Nelson was elected leader in the Liberal Party of Australia leadership election, 2007. The result of this ballot was Nelson 45, Turnbull 42.
Nelson's leadership came under intense pressure throughout 2008. Newspoll polling in February 2008 set a record low "Preferred Prime Minister" rating for any opposition leader at 9 percent, with March polling setting another record of 7 percent, with two party preferred setting another Newspoll record at 37-63 percent.[3] In response to increased speculation about his leadership Nelson commented in April that he "will keep fighting and standing up for everyday Australians."[4]
Support for Nelson as leader within the Liberal Party had all but collapsed by the end of July 2008, in part due to repeated gaffes on emissions trading and climate change. Expected to challenge him was either Peter Costello or Malcolm Turnbull, upon the release of Costello's book, The Costello Memoirs.[5][6][7] Costello stated he would not be making any move for the Liberal leadership,[8] but media outlets capitalised on Costello's failure to categorically rule out any future leadership challenge.[9][10] Some MPs said he "still remained ready to assume the leadership later in the electoral cycle".[11]
Results
See also
References
- ^ "The Australian | The Australian Homepage | TheAustralian". Theaustralian.news.com.au. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24350022-601,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ "Business, World & Breaking News | Melbourne, Australia". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ "Brendan Nelson and Liberal-Nationals Coalition hit all-time low in Newspoll". Theaustralian.news.com.au. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23314736-601,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ Lahey, Kate (2008-04-12). "Nelson vows to stay on as Liberal leader - Breaking News - National - Breaking News". Melbourne: News.theage.com.au. http://news.theage.com.au/national/nelson-vows-to-stay-on-as-liberal-leader-20080412-25ox.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ August 02, 2008 12:00AM (2008-08-02). "Brendan Nelson's leadership is hanging by a thread: Herald Sun 2/8/2008". News.com.au. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24114354-662,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ Look out Brendan, here comes the tap: NEWS.com.au 2/8/2008
- ^ O'malley, Sandra (2008-09-02). "Libs meet amid leadership speculation: SMH 2/9/2008". News.smh.com.au. http://news.smh.com.au/national/libs-meet-amid-leadership-speculation-20080902-47cm.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ "Costello clears the air over Liberal leadership: ABC News 11/9/2008". Abc.net.au. 2008-09-11. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/11/2362067.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ Matthew Franklin, Chief political correspondent (2008-09-12). "Costello could stand at next election: The Australian 12/9/2008". Theaustralian.news.com.au. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24334535-5013871,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ "Costello may still harbour dream of being PM: The age 12/9/2008". Melbourne: Theage.com.au. 2008-09-12. http://www.theage.com.au/national/costello-may-still-harbour-dream-of-being-pm-20080912-4f8m.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ "Nelson to Turnbull: bring it on - Canberra Times 16/9/2008". Smh.com.au. 2008-09-16. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/leadership-showdown/2008/09/15/1221330747871.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10.