Minchin Situation

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Thursday, 26 November 2009

Resignation from Shadow Cabinet

After Question Time today I attended Malcolm Turnbull�s office with Tony Abbott to propose that he re-consider the Coalition�s policy position in relation to the CPRS legislation.

This was in response to a groundswell of opposition from colleagues, the business community and constituents in relation to the position adopted by the Coalition to support the passage of amended legislation over the coming days.

I therefore proposed that Mr Turnbull adopt the position I previously put forward earlier in the week in the Joint Party Room that the legislation be referred to a Senate committee for inquiry, with further consideration of the Bill after the Copenhagen conference.

Mr Turnbull declined this proposition so I advised that I would have no alternative but to resign from the Shadow Cabinet as I was not able to support the CPRS legislation.

My further recommendation was that my resignation from the Shadow Cabinet take effect as soon as the Senate rises for the year next week.

Mr Turnbull has accepted my recommendation.

I have informed a meeting of Liberal Senators of the situation. Liberal Senators have resolved that I remain as Senate Leader until the resumption of the Senate

sittings in February, when as a backbencher I would step down to enable Liberal Senators to elect a new leader.