Senior members of the NSW Liberals are pushing for Malcolm Turnbull to be expelled from the Party after the former prime minister described Peter Dutton as a “thug” who was not fit to lead the country.
Several Liberal Party members, including branch presidents and members of the NSW state executive, have emailed party bosses calling for the former party leader to be kicked out.
Radio broadcaster Ben Fordham read out portions of the emails from senior Liberals on his 2GB show.
“Mr Turnbull’s actions clearly violate the principles outlined in the party’s constitution. I urge you to exercise your discretion under the Constitution to expel Malcolm Turnbull from the Liberal Party,” one email read.
A second email pointed to the double standard where other party members have been expelled for less, saying “the rules must be applied equally to all party members”, while a third said simply that it was “time for Mr Turnbull to be dismissed from the party”.
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Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie has criticised claims made by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull about Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Ms McKenzie’s comments come after Mr Turnbull called Mr Dutton a ‘thug’.
“Peter Dutton has a long history and track record, way before he got into parliament of locking up thugs, not actually being one,” Ms McKenzie told Sky News Australia.
“I’m very proud to serve with him.”
Mr Turnbull has been increasingly critical of the Liberal Party ever since he was removed as prime minister through a bitter leadership battle involving Mr Dutton in 2018.
The former Liberal leader and member or Wentworth has ramped up his criticism in recent weeks, slamming the Coalition’s nuclear policy on Twitter, attacking the Opposition Leader’s character during an interview on the Project.
Asked about the idea of Mr Dutton being prime minister, Mr Turnbull said it was something “we should contemplate with dread”, adding that it was an important question and there was no point pulling his punches.
“Peter’s got one tune that he plays… and that is division and animosity – generally targeted at immigrants. I couldn’t think of anyone less suited to be Prime Minister of a multicultural society like Australian,” the former Liberal Prime Minister said.
Malcolm Turnbull has been increasingly critical of the Liberal Party since being ousted as leader through a bitter leadership contest in 2018. Picture Kym Smith
The current Liberal leader dismissed the criticism on Thursday, telling 2GB’s Ray Hadley his former cabinet colleague had “got an axe to grind” and it was “sad” to see him diminishing his legacy by making such comments.
“I think it’s sad… for a former leader of our party, when you diminish yourself in this way. I just don’t think it helps his legacy or his public standing,” Mr Dutton said.
The Opposition Leader added that he had a “tough skin” and was focused on winning the next election.
But not everyone has been as forgiving of Mr Turnbull’s comments.
Former NSW state executive member Matthew Camenzuli told Fordham Mr Turnbull’s comments were “bringing the party into disrepute”.
Sky News Senior Reporter Caroline Marcus has called on the Liberal Party to “expel” former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull from the party.
This follows Mr Turnbull’s appearance on Channel Ten’s The Project on Sunday night where he labelled Opposition leader Peter Dutton a ‘thug’.
“Enough is enough – it’s time to expel Malcolm Turnbull from the Liberal Party,” Ms Marcus said.
“The former prime minister continues to thumb his nose at his former colleagues in a way that demeans both him and the office he once held.”
Mr Camenzuli was himself expelled from the NSW Liberal Party after he took then prime minister Scott Morrison and other members of the NSW state executive to court in 2022 over their failure to hold rank and file preselections.
However the former member – who was aligned to the conservative wing of the party – said unlike Mr Turnbull he had never publicly criticised the party while a member, claiming there was a clear double standard at play.
“I never criticised the party publicly while I was a member of the Liberal Party, never once. All I did was I took I took Scott Morrison to court because I believed in getting the best possible people into parliament, the people who the membership wanted,” Mr Camenzuli said.
“There are a lot of very good Liberals, people who believe in liberal values, liberal principles, embody them and live them that have been expelled… for silly little things, minor crimes, not even really bad statements.
“But what we’re seeing is people making big bad statements and forming planks of the Labor Party campaign.”
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The former Liberal member said Mr Turnbull should reflect on whether he belongs in the party, and either back the leader or leave.
“I’d certainly counsel Mr Turnbull to take a good hard look at his values and his principles and whether or not they line up with where the Liberal Party is,” he said
“(If) he wants to be a Liberal and taken seriously as a Liberal, then get in behind Peter Dutton or get out.”
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce also responded to Mr Turnbull’s comments, telling Sky News Australia the former prime minister needed to move on and “enjoy the post-political life”.
“You turn yourself into a parody… You’re a smarter bloke than that, Malcolm,” Mr Joyce said.
“Walk to the rails and enjoy the post-political life… have a big sleep, wake up in the morning, and think, how do I want to be remembered?
“It’s not that person in the park, Malcolm, don’t be a madman in the park.”