Malcolm Turnbull under threat following Liberal’s WA election defeat – Starts at 60

Posted: March 12, 2017 at 8:37 pm

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is facing pressure in the party room to write off any future deals with One Nations following the Liberals crushing defeat in the Western Australian election at the weekend.

The Australian reports Turnbull is refusing to dismiss a similar preference deal with One Nation in the next federal election despite Deputy Leader Barnaby Joyce calling the idea a mistake.

The WA Liberals signed a preference deal with One Nation ahead of the weekend election in the hopes it would deliver them the win.

However, voters protested the move at the ballot box with a dramatic 15.7 primary vote swing against the party.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told media the deal was the only way to save seats, but was proved wrong on the day.

It was the first such deal between the two parties, with polling showing increasing support for One Nation around the country.

There have been talks that One Nation could become a major power player in the next federal election, but results from the weekend have thrown the idea into contention.

The party has been marred by in-fighting and scandal since its return, with a number of senators quitting or being forcibly removed.

See the article here:

Malcolm Turnbull under threat following Liberal's WA election defeat - Starts at 60

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