Leadership spill in Australian opposition party

PHOTO

Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull (left) and shadow treasurer Joe Hockey in Question Time. Mr Turnbull is under growing pressure to stand aside. [AAP]

VIDEO from Australia Network News

Australian opposition in crisis

Created: 27/11/2009

Danny Morgan, Louise Yaxley

Last Updated: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:46:00 +1100

Warring factions in Australia's Opposition Liberal Party are fighting over the timing of a leadership spill.

Their leader, Malcolm Turnbull, is under growing pressure to stand aside, after a revolt among his leading Parliamentarians over the government's legislation to combat climate change.

It comes after more than a dozen members of Mr Turnbull's leadership team resigned from their positions.

Ten Coalition MP's including Tony Abbott and Nick Minchin have requested a partyroom meeting at nine o'clock on Monday.

But a spokesman for Malcolm Turnbull has indicated that's not feasible for logistical reasons.

Senator Minchin says he can't see why.

"A request to meet at 9 o'clock is certainly not unreasonable and the Whip should agree to that request," he said.

Whenever the meeting is held, Malcolm Turnbull's close ally Ian MacFarlane is certain the leader will be there.

"I have told Malcolm Turnbull he has th numbers and it's his call and Malcolm Turnbull has said that he will never walk away from a fight."

If Mr Turnbull does stand down, Joe Hockey is tipped to take the leadership unopposed.

ETS vote

Meanwhile, there are now real doubts about whether the Australian Government's emissions trading scheme (ETS) will pass the Senate.

The Senate has adjourned without passing the ETS.

The bill will be debated again on Monday but by then there's a chance the Liberal party will have a new leader and a different stance on the ETS.

But the acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard says the Government is determined to see the scheme passed.

"We are expecting the Liberal party to come here on Monday and do the same," he said.

The government's Senate leader, Chris Evans told the Liberals they should have passed the deal this week.

Opposition Senator from the Family First party, Steve Fielding says he expects that on Monday it will be referred to a committee.

"Then we'll come back in February for a vote on the CPRS."

If the bill fails to pass a second time it could trigger an election.