Turnbull to recontest Wentworth

Former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull has stepped back into the political fray by
savaging Kevin Rudd's position on the emissions trading scheme.
Mr Turnbull said his decision to recontest his eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth at
this year's election was sparked by the "extraordinary conduct of the Rudd
government", in particular the prime minister's recent decision to shelve the
emissions trading scheme.
"He does not have the courage of his convictions, he has walked away from his
climate change policy and he now has no climate change policy at all," Mr Turnbull
said, describing Mr Rudd's decision as "the greatest act of political gutlessness
anyone has ever seen".
"I believe political leaders have to have guts and have to have courage and that is
the reason I am stepping back into the fray and running again here in Wentworth."
Mr Turnbull said he stands by his support for the emissions trading scheme, which
led to him losing the party's leadership to Tony Abbott last December.
"I will always make the case for an emissions trading scheme but I cannot always
guarantee I will carry the day," Mr Turnbull said.
"People know what I stand for but the party has a policy."
Mr Turnbull said Mr Abbott had been "very supportive" of his decision to remain in
politics.
However, he doesn't anticipate a return to the opposition front bench before the
next election.
"(Mr Abbott) has made some remarks publicly about possible future roles for me after
the election, but I leave that to him," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney on
Saturday.
Mr Turnbull ruled out a possible return to the party leadership, saying: "I don't
think there is any likelihood of that, I can assure you."
"I give my total support to Tony Abbott as leader of the Liberal Party," he added.
Mr Turnbull announced he was quitting politics on April 6, saying it was a very
personal and heartfelt decision.
But he said he had received "considerable" encouragement from constituents and
colleagues to stay on.
"I recognise that my commitment to public service, my determination to make a
difference working to make Australia an even better place for our children to grow
up in is undiminished and I can serve the people of this electorate and this nation
best as a member of the federal government," Mr Turnbull said.
Meanwhile the federal government says Mr Turnbull's surprise comeback could spell
trouble for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott,.
Mr Turnbull lost the Liberal leadership to Mr Abbott last year by just one vote, and
some are speculating his comeback means he's eyeing the top job once more.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said he doubted whether Mr Abbott would be celebrating the news.
"I'd reckon that Tony Abbott wouldn't be popping any champagne corks tonight," Mr
Swan told reporters at parliament house on Saturday.
"The Liberal Party has had four leaders in a very short period of time, and I would
expect that this just reflects further instability."



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