Turncoats back...do you trust him?

I don't, and think Abbot needs to beware of strangers baring promises or gifts.

Quote :

Turnbull's take two changes political climate
STEPHANIE PEATLING AND HEATH ASTON
May 2, 2010

Striding back... a confident Malcolm Turnbull with daughter Daisy yesterday.

Striding back... a confident Malcolm Turnbull with daughter Daisy yesterday. Photo: Jacky Ghossein

Malcolm Turnbull will reclaim a senior role on Tony Abbott's frontbench after the election, having reversed his decision to leave politics.

His return reignites speculation he will pursue his ambitions to again lead the Liberal Party one day.

Mr Turnbull executed his resignation about-face as a response to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's ''gutlessness and cowardice'' in shelving the emission trading scheme, labelling the Rudd government the ''worst in our lifetime''.

''I believe political leaders have to have guts, they have to have courage, and that's why I'm stepping back into the fray here in Wentworth,'' he said in Clovelly yesterday.

Friends and colleagues said Mr Turnbull almost immediately regretted his decision on April 6 to resign.

''He said to me that he didn't realise how much he missed it, even after everything that's happened, and obviously he wants to come back and make a contribution,'' one said.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott welcomed the return of Mr Turnbull, saying he was a ''very serious and substantial person'' with ''star power''.

He ruled out giving him a spot on the frontbench before the election but he left the way open for future promotion.

''I think he wants to be a significant part of the next Coalition government and I will certainly expect that he would have a senior role in the next Coalition government,'' Mr Abbott said outside his Forestville home.

Colleagues expect the frontbench role will not be withheld.

''It's time to look at his strengths and that's across the whole spectrum of things, from water to innovation,'' one senior Liberal source said. ''While there was this issue of the emissions trading system, Tony couldn't have Malcolm on the frontbench but that's no longer an issue.''

Yesterday's change of heart reignited speculation that Mr Turnbull continues to see himself as a future leader. ''With Malcolm Turnbull, it's hard to credibly say he doesn't,'' one MP said.

Mr Turnbull denied he was interested in seeking the leadership again, saying: ''I don't think there is any likelihood of that.''

Mr Abbott also played down leadership speculation, saying he was ''getting on with his job''.

Sources point to a new struggle opening up between Mr Turnbull and treasury spokesman Joe Hockey, who ran against Mr Turnbull in the contest that delivered the leadership to Mr Abbott in December.

''Now Malcolm Turnbull is back, that's where the tension will be,'' one said.

Mr Hockey would not comment on Mr Turnbull's decision, although he said Mr Turnbull had contacted him before going public yesterday.

Treasurer Wayne Swan was quick to stir leadership speculation, saying Mr Abbott ''wouldn't be popping any champagne corks tonight''.

''The Liberal Party has had four leaders in a very short period of time, and I would expect that this just reflects further instability,'' he said.

Mr Turnbull will not have to recontest preselection because the party's state executive had only called for expressions of interest and not officially reopened nominations.

Shayne Mallard, a City of Sydney councillor and likely preselection contender had Mr Turnbull departed, said he was not disappointed.

''I'm happy to see him back. I thought it was unfortunate he went,'' he said.

Liberal Party strategists said the eastern suburbs seat would now be much easier for the Liberal Party to hold.

''Without Malcolm, Labor would have tried but now I wouldn't put a cent into it,'' one said.

Former prime minister John Howard declined to comment on Mr Turnbull's decision, saying only through a spokesman: ''I'll leave that to Tony Abbott.''

Opposition resources spokesman Ian Macfarlane said his friend's decision was ''fantastic'' because ''no party has enough brilliant people like Malcolm Turnbull''.

Instinctively, I think he's been appointed by Rudd to nose out then prematurely disclose Abbots electoral pursuits, intentions...this and feed back to the Labor party.


Just my opinion.


Call me nuts if you like, but I think Abbots doing fine without the "moles" help.

Suddenly he should show up now, just when Rudds struggling to tread water and keep his head above water level, poll wise?

I agree with Howard....Tony, watch your back, he could be what destroys you if you let him!

Perhaps Tony is ahead of me, though....


... I hope so!

http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/homepage/speech-in-the-house-carbon-pollution-reduction-scheme/



Think Abbot it!

You're an idiot.

Am I?


.... Turncoat is a Labor brown tongue, tell me, why is it he never once attempted to expose the antics of a Labor government during his short lived stint as head of the Liberal party?


Slipped his mind?


Grow up!

In fact, the very reason his own party ditched him then was because of his ambivalence and inactivity with respects to a progressively secretive Rudd EMPIRE!!


Trust me, I have feelings on these sorts of things, gut feelings.