Turnbull won't contest next election

(AAP) - Malcolm Turnbull will walk away from federal politics at the next election, removing one of the biggest threats to Tony Abbott's leadership.

Mr Turnbull won't recontest the eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth after losing the
Liberal leadership last December, following months of political infighting over his
support for an emissions trading scheme.
With his departure goes his dream of becoming prime minister, but the former
opposition leader, ex-merchant banker and one-time lawyer insists he isn't bitter.
"It's easy to get resentful or full of bitterness ... (but) I took a very different
approach, I think hatred hurts the hater more than the hated," Mr Turnbull told Sky
News.
"So, I'm looking back on my time positively."
Only a few days ago, Mr Turnbull had been discussing with Tony Abbott a possible
return to the front bench - a move the current opposition leader decided wasn't
appropriate.
Mr Turnbull acknowledged it would have been difficult for him to take such a role in
view of his support for an ETS.
"I think realistically it would be hard for me to be on the front bench of Tony's
team, given that is going to be a key election issue," he said.
His brief but stellar turn in federal parliament - a mere six years since winning
his seat in 2004 - was widely acclaimed after his sudden, but unsurprising,
announcement.
Former prime minister John Howard, whom Mr Turnbull claimed broke the nation's heart
during the referendum on the republic, admitted he was glad Mr Turnbull ventured
into federal politics.
"He made a strong contribution to cabinet, and I enjoyed working with him in
government. He will be a loss to the parliamentary Liberal Party," Mr Howard said in
a statement.
Just over a year after Mr Turnbull entered parliament, Mr Howard made him a
parliamentary secretary. A year later he was a minister, handed the portfolios of
environment and water resources.
When the Liberals lost in 2007, Mr Turnbull put his hand up for the job of
opposition leader but lost to Brendan Nelson. Less than a year later, the leadership
was his.
But the ultimate prize was to elude him.
The man who denied him that opportunity claimed Mr Turnbull possessed "rare and
great" political gifts.
"Within four and a half years of being in the parliament he was the leader of his
political party, he was the alternative prime minister of this country," Mr Abbott
told reporters.
"Now, only people of rare and great gifts can claim that kind of achievement."
After winning the Liberal leadership by the slimmest of margins, Mr Abbott will be
the biggest beneficiary of Mr Turnbull's departure.
While Mr Abbott's leadership has been secure as he has improved the coalition's
political fortunes, Mr Turnbull remained a threat while he was in the parliament.
Now the only viable alternative leader is Joe Hockey, who won't be the same
potential destabilising influence that Mr Turnbull could have been.
Mr Hockey said his friend's decision to retire brought to a close "one of the most
spectacular short careers in recent Australian politics".
"Malcolm's remarkable spirit, dedication and drive are salient lessons for all of us
who seek to achieve change for the better in our society," he said in a statement.
Mr Hockey, who is on holiday, wasn't available to say what the departure may mean
for his political ambitions.
The NSW Liberal Party is due to reopen preselection for the seat of Wentworth by the
end of the week.
The coalition could find it difficult to retain the inner suburban seat given its
shift to the right on issues like climate change and asylum seekers.
Mr Turnbull will pursue interests in the private sector with his wife Lucy.