The Liberal party is poised for a shock move on Monday by replacing Prime Minister Tony Abbott with recently disposed Queensland Premier Campbell Newman.

 Reports from within the party say they are desperate for a change in leadership. One backbencher was quoted saying “The public hate him at the moment and his leadership skills rub people the wrong way, but anyone is better than Abbott.”

 Mr Newman is apparently keen on the move, and has promised backers that resolving the Prince Philip knighthood controversy would be his first priority. To avoid such embarrassments in the future, as Prime Minister he would move immediately to privatise the Order of Australia honour system on a 99 year lease.

 Mr Abbott is said to be shocked at the news. One advisor said he deserved more respect as “captain” of the Coalition. Mr Abbott was to remark “You wouldn’t just strip the Australian captaincy from Michael Clarke because the team have found someone they like better”.

 As he is not a sitting member of parliament, Mr Newman will need to lead the party unofficially until a seat is found for him, mirroring the situation he faced leading into the 2012 Queensland election. He was preselected and won the relatively marginal seat of Ashgrove, which predictably swung back to Labor and removed him from power. Sources are noting his desire to contest the South Coast federal division of Eden Monaro.

 Senior members want to avoid a repeat of the stigma attached to Julia Gillard when Kevin Rudd was removed, with suggestions that former Victorian Premier Denis Napthine might be used as a stalking horse for the challenge.

Alex White

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Categories: Politics

Tags: auspol, Campbell Newman, LibSpill, Prime Minister, The unAustralian, Tony Abott