Grooming for the role of Prime Minister: The reality TV show of Australian politics

With all the Turmoil in the LNP at the moment, having lost Queensland’s state election in a bloodbath, the team still professes its allegiance to their leader, Tony Abbott. Prospective future party leaders Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop are making no outward comments; in fact over the weekend both have made separate statements of support for Tony Abbott. But several MPs have been quoted in the media as saying Tony Abbott’s time is up. And Malcolm Turnbull’s Facebook page certainly tells a story between the lines in my opinion.

“All we are talking about now is the timing and method of execution,” one Queensland MP said to the ABC.

While the Liberal Party are, at this time, acting with dignity and well-managed unity, a few weeks ago I saw something that changed my opinion of how the party leadership is united… and I “called it” in our Starts at 60 office. We’re all watching for signs of Malcolm Turnbull stepping up for the leadership. How it happens is now the biggest question in my mind.

In the ABC report over the weekend on unity in Federal LNP, a senior federal Coalition source said the next move was Tony Abbott’s.

Liberal MP Jane Prentice said in another ABC report that the party “can’t continue as we are” and that Tony Abbott was “not taking the people with us”.

But the real question is, are they already grooming for a Prime Minister to fall on his sword and another to take his role? Can it happen peacefully or are we open for another spectacle in the reality TV show of Australian politics?

Malcolm Turnbull’s Facebook page has taken a turn in recent weeks, to become entirely statesman like, with his Australia Day picture reeking of Prime Ministerial authority that reaches all demographics. This picture was the one that made me suspicious of his leadership aspirations, perhaps because I feel like our nation is so desperately seeking a inspiration-worthy leader.  The formality and approach of the post was not missed by other followers either, with many of the comments on the thread reading “Malcolm for PM” and “Go grab those keys to the lodge”.

Julie Bishop’s Facebook page, on the other hand, doesn’t appear to have “changed gears” the way Turnbull’s has. With her public persona being tied to her role of Foreign Minister most directly, a role that has a lot of high profile and inspiring public meetings with other famous leaders.

After today’s speech at the National Press Club, the Prime Minister’s acceptance publicly after the Queensland election that there needs to be change in the LNP, and the 27% approval rating he is facing as the public’s choice of Prime Minister in the latest polls, do you think he will fall on his sword?

Do you agree that Turnbull is grooming for his role?  How do you think the Abbott Government can change leadership without creating the spectacle of the Labor party’s last term?

Source: Malcolm Turnbull’s Facebook page