theangle.org

Tony Abbott. Credit:dimensional dan/flickr

By Rich Bowden:

Five Liberal frontbenchers have resigned over its leadership’s decision to ram through an agreement with the Government on an emissions trading scheme.

Tony Abbott, Sophie Mirabella, Tony Smith and Senators Nick Minchin and Eric Abetz have handed in their resignations saying they cannot agree with their leader Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to back the Government’s amendments on a highly contentious ETS bill.

While Mr Abbott told reporters this afternoon that the difference was one of policy, not of leadership, and ruled out a challenge to the leader, media reports are suggesting a spill motion may be brought on as early as tonight or tomorrow.

Mr Turnbull fended off a spill motion yesterday 48 to 35, with only former Howard minister Kevin Andrews willing to challenge.

The ABC is reporting the mass resignations were brought about when powerbrokers Abbott and Minchin confronted Mr Turnbull over the agreement to pass legislative amendments to the scheme and asked him to delay passing until the position of other countries became clearer after key climate talks in Copenhagen.

“This is a very difficult decision for me. I’ve always regarded myself as a very loyal party man,” said Mr Abbott to reporters following his resignation.

‘‘Malcolm was unprepared to reconsider,’’ The Age reported Mr Abbott as saying.‘‘I indicated to Malcolm at the end of the conversation that given his position I could no longer support the Opposition’s policy and therefore could no longer be in the shadow cabinet.’’

Amid what appears to be a full-scale revolt against Mr Turnbull’s leadership, Australian media reports that more high profile resignations may be forthcoming and a leadership challenge imminent.