Mediaboss Marketing

Turnbull stays quiet as Abbott faces spill

Liberal MPs are angry Prime Minister Tony Abbott has made another controversial "captain's call" by bringing forward a meeting to consider a leadership spill motion.

They were due to meet in Canberra on Tuesday morning to vote on a spill of the leader and deputy leader positions moved by West Australian backbenchers Luke Simpkins and Don Randall.

But Mr Abbott announced on Sunday morning he had decided to bring the meeting forward to Monday - the first day of parliament for the year.

Expected leadership contender Malcolm Turnbull, who has not yet declared his hand, said it had been a decision for the prime minister.

"He's the prime minister and he's made a captain's call," he told reporters on his way into a party fundraising brunch with deputy leader Julie Bishop in Sydney.

Former minister and respected party elder Senator Arthur Sinodinos said he would be supporting the spill motion.

"I believe we have to have this discussion," he told the ABC on Sunday.

Senator Sinodinos said he was disappointed with the decision to move the meeting forward.

"(Tuesday) is the normal time for these matters to be considered - it gives us proper in-depth discussion of the issues," he said.

Read the original here:
Liberals angry over Abbott spill change