ID :
80290
Thu, 09/17/2009 - 00:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/80290
The shortlink copeid
Turnbull `enjoying every minute`
After a rough first year as opposition leader which has left his approval ratings in
the doldrums, Malcolm Turnbull says he enjoys "every minute" of his job.
Celebrating his first anniversary in the top job, Mr Turnbull says it has been an
eventful year with the global financial crisis dominating the news.
Mr Turnbull, who turns 55 next month, won the top job a year ago on Wednesday by
four votes from Brendan Nelson who will retire from politics at the end of this
month.
"I enjoy every minute of my job," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's a great privilege to be here, to be a member of parliament to begin with and
to be leader of the Liberal Party and leader of the opposition."
Mr Turnbull brushed off concerns about divisions within the coalition on climate
change, saying he's confident he'll be leader at the next election despite
dissatisfaction over his performance of more than 50 per cent.
"Well, we may have an election before another year is out," Mr Turnbull said.
"I may be prime minister within a year, you don't know. I will lead the Opposition
to the next election and we will win that election."
Mr Turnbull said the opposition was doing its job in holding the government to
account over its $16 billion in school stimulus spending while being constructive in
its criticism.
Senior opposition frontbencher Tony Abbott agreed it had been a tough year for Mr
Turnbull but he believes his leader has grown into the job.
"I think he's grown immeasurably in my respect for him, I think he's plainly the
best person for what is obviously at this time the most difficult job in the
country," Mr Abbott told Sky News on Wednesday.
He said that it was inevitable with the wisdom of hindsight that some things, such
as the attack on prime minister Kevin Rudd in the fake email affair, had been
mistakes.
"Everyone knows that the utegate attack turned out to be a disaster no matter how
reasonable it seemed at the time," Mr Abbott said.
But no one could avoid making mistakes and it was important to learn from them.
"I think Malcolm has learned a great deal from the last 12 months," Mr Abbott said.
the doldrums, Malcolm Turnbull says he enjoys "every minute" of his job.
Celebrating his first anniversary in the top job, Mr Turnbull says it has been an
eventful year with the global financial crisis dominating the news.
Mr Turnbull, who turns 55 next month, won the top job a year ago on Wednesday by
four votes from Brendan Nelson who will retire from politics at the end of this
month.
"I enjoy every minute of my job," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's a great privilege to be here, to be a member of parliament to begin with and
to be leader of the Liberal Party and leader of the opposition."
Mr Turnbull brushed off concerns about divisions within the coalition on climate
change, saying he's confident he'll be leader at the next election despite
dissatisfaction over his performance of more than 50 per cent.
"Well, we may have an election before another year is out," Mr Turnbull said.
"I may be prime minister within a year, you don't know. I will lead the Opposition
to the next election and we will win that election."
Mr Turnbull said the opposition was doing its job in holding the government to
account over its $16 billion in school stimulus spending while being constructive in
its criticism.
Senior opposition frontbencher Tony Abbott agreed it had been a tough year for Mr
Turnbull but he believes his leader has grown into the job.
"I think he's grown immeasurably in my respect for him, I think he's plainly the
best person for what is obviously at this time the most difficult job in the
country," Mr Abbott told Sky News on Wednesday.
He said that it was inevitable with the wisdom of hindsight that some things, such
as the attack on prime minister Kevin Rudd in the fake email affair, had been
mistakes.
"Everyone knows that the utegate attack turned out to be a disaster no matter how
reasonable it seemed at the time," Mr Abbott said.
But no one could avoid making mistakes and it was important to learn from them.
"I think Malcolm has learned a great deal from the last 12 months," Mr Abbott said.
