Turnbull took defeat badly; he announced he would resign from Parliament and would not contest his seat at the general election due the following year (2010).
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Australian defence and security chiefs Dennis Richardson (Defence Department secretary) and Duncan Lewis (ASIO) have come first in the group of covert power holders, followed by News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch and Seven Group chairman Kerry Stokes.
Abbott had been unpopular for some time, even within his own party.
“Obviously, under Malcolm Turnbull there’s a deep, long history of support for renewable energy”. The Labor leader said that if the prime minister does not prefer a person to be in his frontbench, then why send that individual as an ambassador to a key foreign ally. The change of tenant at 5 Adelaide Avenue in Deakin suburb of Canberra also leads to another question: would there be a change in the foreign policy under the new occupant of the Prime Ministerial abode (popularly called The Lodge)? And in August, he cautioned against underestimating the depth and robustness of China’s economic achievement, praising its success in moving from low-wage copycat manufacturing to a more services- and innovation-intensive model. Let’s hope he applies some deep thinking and good manners to overcome the century-old political curse and restore confidence in the leadership of his country.
Michael Keenan, Barnaby Joyce and George Brandis, all take on expanded roles, with Keenan’s portfolio including minister assisting the prime minister for counter terrorism; Joyce’s including water resources; and Brandis’ encompassing government senate leader.
Turnbull’s a fan… The view atop a wind turbine.
What can we expect of Turnbull’s stewardship of Australian foreign policy?
Turnbull’s efforts to do business in China – successful and unsuccessful – had taught him some useful lessons about how to assess that country’s restless ambitions. Sure, we have leadership coups, political bickering and name-calling but we’re tame compared to the Australians.
Speaking in his first interview since being toppled by Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister said these were the two big challenges facing Australia.
Despite his predecessors’ unwillingness to discuss the relationship while in office, Australia has in fact been treading a delicate line between Washington and Beijing for several years.
With the war on ISIS we need a minister who if needed will front up with an AK47 and not a handbag.
Ten months later, on September 16, 2008, with Nelson drowning in the opinion polls, Turnbull forced a party room challenge and reversed the result 45 votes to 41.
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Eighty New Zealand nationals have been deported from Australia this year, up from 53 the previous year. Or would it protect its links with Beijing by staying on the sidelines? The prime minister mentioned that Joe Hockey has told him of his unwillingness to want a position in his ministry and added that Hockey has also informed him of his intention to resign from his parliamentary position.
