MEMBER for Barker Tony Pasin has defended his decision to sign a petition calling for a special party room meeting after losing confidence in the former prime minister’s ability to win the next federal election.
The Federal MP was one of 43 Liberals who signed a petition to hold a second party room meeting on Friday after a snap contest for the leadership was won by then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull against former home affairs minister Peter Dutton.
He said the close result of Tuesday’s spill motion, which saw Mr Turnbull hold on to the position by 13 votes, solidified concerns the prime minister’s position was “untenable”.
“Over 40pc of the party room had lost confidence in the prime minister’s ability to defeat Bill Shorten,” Mr Pasin said.
“This unexpected number combined with a series of subsequent ministerial resignations made it clear to me the leadership of the parliamentary Liberal Party was unsettled and a second Liberal Party room meeting was required to resolve that issue.”
He rejected notions the spill was driven by a desire to return Tony Abbott – who was deposed from his position as prime minister by Malcolm Turnbull in 2015.
The conservative MP further repudiated claims he was the second signatory of a petition which brought on the second leadership challenge, saying there were a number of sheets circulating concurrently.
“My understanding is that a number of people had signed the petition before I signed that document,” he said.
“At the party room meeting on Friday, three exceptional candidates put themselves forward for the position of leader of the Liberal Party and as such prime minister – Scott Morrison, Peter Dutton and Julie Bishop, each able to deliver for our nation.
“I had to make a difficult choice between three of my well respected colleagues.”
Mr Pasin said he ultimately voted on conservative Queenslander Mr Dutton, saying he thought he gave the Coalition the best opportunity to retain government at the upcoming election.
“I have been open and honest with my constituents in declaring that I voted for Peter Dutton, a member from Queensland who I thought had the ability to help retain a number of Queensland seats which are required in order for the Coalition to hold government,” he said.
“I also considered the very strong support Mr Dutton had provided to me during my time as Member for Barker, in particular around the need to lower energy prices.”
Mr Pasin welcomed both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and deputy leader Josh Frydenberg to the top roles, labelling Mr Morrison as a “natural healer” who had the ability to unify the Liberal Party.
“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Morrison in the interests of all Australians and for me, most importantly, working to deliver for Barker,” he said.
“I have always enjoyed a close and constructive relationship with Scott Morrison and I have every confidence that as prime minister he will be open and receptive to my views when representing the people of Barker.
“The bitterness and the disunity that entered our party room more than a decade ago has come to an end.”
