Philip Ruddock is one of those LNP stalwarts that has been on the scene and in the periphery of the public eye so permanently, it’s easy to forget how he might be faring in the internal ranks. Tony Abbott has today made a bold move to sack Philip Ruddock, following the failed leadership spill motion on Monday.
A senior minister in the Howard era which led on to a four year-long stint as the Attorney General, and then as Chief Government Whip of the House of Reps since 2013, Philip Ruddock told the ABC of the Prime Minister’s decision: “the position of whip is in the gift of the leader, and any advice about that position should come from him [the Prime Minister].”
After a week of utter turmoil in the Liberal Party, the timing of Abbott’s decision seems to be relatively sudden. Ministers and backbenchers have not received the news particularly well – an unnamed MP told SMH, “The PM had my vote on Monday even though he refused to get rid of Peta Credlin. He has now lost my vote because he had no right to get rid of Philip Ruddock.”
QLD MP Andrew Laming branded the move “scapegoating of Godzilla proportions”, according to the ABC.
In a statement, Tony Abbott acknowledged Ruddock’s service, saying: “I acknowledge and thank the Hon Philip Ruddock MP for his extraordinary contribution to our country, this Government and the Liberal Party. As Father of the House, Philip has given over four decades of service to the Australian Parliament and the Australian people.”
As ever, the drama of Auspol continues.
Via ABC.
Lead image by Stefan Postles via Getty.
