Nationals Member for Murray Damian Drum believes the federal Coalition is more stable with and suited to a Scott Morrison-led Liberal Party, as opposed to the more conservative Peter Dutton.
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Scott Morrison became the 30th Prime Minister of Australia after a special Liberal Party meeting on Friday, defeating Peter Dutton 45-40.
Malcolm Turnbull had earlier vacated his position after a 45 to 40 vote in favour of a leadership spill.
Mr Drum said it was “certainly the case” that most within the National Party felt more comfortable with Morrison as new prime minister.
“Without too much surprise to everybody, Dutton tends to be very clear that he wishes to see a more conservative set of policies, which would push the Liberal Party further to the right and I think that, in my opinion, Australians don't like that,” he said.
He said the vast majority of the Nationals wished the Liberal Party leadership hadn’t changed hands.
“The Nationals had no control over the political factions within the Liberal Party. It’s been difficult to sit back and watch themselves tear each other apart,” he said.
Mr Drum said across all spectrums of Australian politics, be it federal or state, voters did not like when either party pushed its policies to the extreme, whether its Labor to the left or the Coalition to the right.
Departing Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed he would resign from parliament when addressing reporters in Canberra after the vote on Friday.
There is also ongoing speculation Julie Bishop will resign.
If either leave parliament, the Coalition would lose its majority.
WATCH: Departing PM Malcolm Turnbull addresses media
Mr Drum said he was confident the new prime minister would be able to garner enough support from crossbench MPs to form a minority government, and suggested May 2019 would be an ideal time for a general election.
Deputy Leader of the Nationals Bridget McKenzie said it had been an “honour and a privilege to serve as a cabinet minister in Malcolm Turnbull’s Coalition government”.
The Bendigo-based Senator said: “Malcolm Turnbull has made a real difference to the lives of people in this nation. He leaves a strong legacy through his policies on tax relief, market access and trade agreements, record health funding, education funding, childcare reform and the creation of 1 million jobs since the last election.”
“Earlier this year I joined the Prime Minister on a drought tour in regional New South Wales and I saw first-hand his concern and compassion for our farmers and their communities which resulted in the delivery of a comprehensive drought package.
“I have appreciated Malcolm’s support and friendship and I would also like to thank the staff in the Prime Minister’s office for their dedication and hard work.
“The Coalition has a long history of working together to deliver for regional Australia, Malcolm has always understood and delivered for the regions and I look forward to working with the new Prime Minister to build on the work already achieved.
One of Scott Morrison’s first tasks as new PM will be to decide on a new ministry.
Leader of the state Opposition, Liberal MP Matthew Guy, congratulated the Liberal Party’s new leadership team of Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg, who is from Victoria.
“Josh is a passionate advocate for Victoria and his elevation to Deputy Leader is a great result for this state,” Mr Guy said in a statement.
“Josh is the first Victorian to be in the federal leadership team since Peter Costello in 2007.
“Scott Morrison is an honorary Victorian. As Treasurer, Scott provided record funding for Victorian infrastructure as well as education and health. As Prime Minister I am sure he will continue to be a great supporter of Victoria.
“I would like to pay tribute to Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop for their support for Victoria and their friendship.”
Speaking on Thursday, Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters called the Liberal leadership fiasco a “circus”, and called for an immediate federal election.
“The problem is, will the Liberal Party be able to come back together and govern - it's not about the practicalities of when an election could happen. The people need to have a say on who they feel should be in government,” Ms Chesters said.
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