To become prime minister, Turnbull made himself a willing hostage at the outset to right-wing policies that contradicted his political persona.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
In staying hostage to this right-wing lunge, rather than fighting to move it back to the mainstream, Turnbull erased his moderate face, destroying his only utility – electoral utility – to the Liberals.
Happy days: Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in parliament.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Our penchant for overturning political leaders didn’t appear overnight. But it has been intensified through constant polls and, in the Liberals’ case, the fact that the party allows it.
Scott Morrison said he asked Peter Dutton about his intentions in Question Time on Monday and was told he was fully supportive of the prime minister.
Lukas Coch/AAP
It is possible the home affairs minister is in breach of Section 44(v) of the Constitution – and if the High Court were to find him so, it would cause yet another headache for the government.
Malcolm Turnbull is faced with a highly volatile situation. But he may need to manage it by taking a risk.
AAP/Lukas Coch
After a week of infighting, it’s time for the prime minister to press the party room into taking a decisive stand.
The Liberal Party contains moderates like George Brandis, Christopher Pyne and Malcolm Turnbull, and conservatives such as Tony Abbott, Eric Abetz and Peter Dutton.
AAP/The Conversation
With fringe right parties feasting on the margins of conservative political discontent in Australia, deeper questions are being asked about whether the Liberal Party itself is at risk.
Leadership struggles are between ostensible allies.
AAP/Sam Mooy
The pain in politics is not pretty. Most leaders relish imposing it on adversaries. But then, when they come to bad ends, as they often do, they bleed and vent. Tony Abbott’s anger and distress is clear…
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to his ministerial colleagues during the first meeting of cabinet.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The table below shows the results of the five polls that have been conducted since Malcolm Turnbull replaced Tony Abbott as Australia’s PM. Three of these polls have Coalition leads and the other two are…
While Julie Bishop stays on as foreign minister, domestic political calculations might be less of a factor in policy if the government can put dire opinion polls behind it.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Australia will benefit if a Turnbull government pursues a foreign policy agenda attuned more to regional and global goals and developments, and less to domestic political challenges.
Malcolm Turnbull is promising a change in leadership style from Tony Abbott, but that alone won’t be enough to qualify as government for the 21st century.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
The Abbott government resisted the disruptive changes of the 21st century. To succeed, the Turnbull government will need to shed this reactionary mindset and embrace inevitable change.
Christopher Pyne’s policies in the education portfolio were underpinned by liberal values of the free market, autonomy and education as a private commodity.
Andrew Hastie retained the federal seat of Canning for the government at a byelection on the weekend.
AAP/Richard Wainwright
Natalie Mast, The University of Western Australia and William Bowe, The University of Western Australia
What did we learn from the Canning byelection campaign? What are the result’s implications for both the new Turnbull government and the Labor opposition?
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull poses for a picture after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra.
Lukas Coch/AAP
An important element in the success of Malcolm Turnbull’s government will be how effectively it handles the Senate. Some crossbench senators have greeted the arrival of Turnbull enthusiastically, contrasting…