Liberal voters give tick of approval to Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership takeover

14 minutes ago

NICK CLARK

Federal Political Editor

TheMercury

TASMANIAN Liberal voters have resoundingly backed the party’s decision to dump Tony Abbott as leader in favour of Malcolm Turnbull.

In an exclusive ReachTEL poll for the Mercury, 55.6 per cent of Liberal voters said they were more likely to vote for the Coalition because of the change last September.

Just 9.5 per cent said they were less likely to vote for the Coalition while 35 per cent said their vote would be unchanged.

It comes after Mr Abbott’s former chief of staff Peta Credlin told Sky News recently that Mr Abbott would campaign in Tasmanian seats during the election campaign.

The poll result came despite Mr Abbott being perceived as a frequent visitor and strong supporter of Tasmania who founded the Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian Economic Council and extended the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.

Across all voters, 44 per cent said they were more likely to vote for the Coalition compared with 20 per cent being less likely.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes a selfie at the Taste Orange Food and Wine festival at Watsons Bay, Sydney. Picture: LYNDON MECHIELSEN

Contrary to popular opinion that Mr Abbott was unpopular with women voters, it was men (46.7 per cent) rather than women (41.8 per cent) who were more likely to vote for the Coalition as a result of the ascension of Mr Turnbull.

University of Tasmania political scientist Richard Eccleston said Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministership had disappointed many but he was still significantly more popular than Mr Abbott.

“He also remains more popular than Bill Shorten,” Prof Eccleston said.

“The Three Amigos [Liberal MPs Eric Hutchinson, Andrew Nikolic and Brett Whiteley] may have supported Mr Abbott but their political careers are much better off because of the change in leadership.”

While six Tasmanian Liberal members of parliament supported Mr Abbott in the September spill, Devonport-based Senator Richard Colbeck opted for Mr Turnbull.

Last month Senator Colbeck was dropped to the No. 5 five spot on the Senate ticket as the conservative forces organised by Tasmanian party powerbroker and strong Tony Abbott supporter Senator Eric Abetz retained control of the Tasmanian division.

 

Source : The Mercury