No voter Scott Morrison announced as Australia’s new Prime Minister
Image: Image: Scott Morrison / Facebook.
Scott Morrison has been announced as leader of the Liberal party and Australia’s 30th Prime Minister, following a leadership vote.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to resign as a member of parliament after a spill motion saw a majority 45 Liberal MPs vote against him being leader.
The vote was tighter than anticipated, with 40 MPs voting to keep Turnbull in his position, suggesting the party was truly divided.
A three-way contest was then held in a partyroom meeting, with Scott Morrison, Peter Dutton, and Julie Bishop all vying for the prime ministership.
Bishop was eliminated in the first round of voting, before Morrison received a majority 45 votes, trumping Dutton’s 40 votes.
As reported in the Star Observer, Morrison, , was adamant that it was “okay to say No” during the marriage debate last year.
He also defended Israel Folau earlier this year when the for posting a handful of anti-gay messages on social media, saying that “hell was God’s plan for gay people”.
鈥淕ood for him for standing up for his faith,鈥� Morrison said.
鈥淚 think he wouldn鈥檛 have wanted to intend to have offended or hurt anyone, because that鈥檚 very much against the faith that he feels so passionately about, but he鈥檚 shown I think a lot of strength of character in just standing up for what he believes in, and I think that鈥檚 what this country鈥檚 all about.鈥�
LGBTI advocacy group just.equal has called on Morrison to govern for all Australians, including members of the LGBTI community.
“We’re concerned that Morrison opposed marriage equality during the postal survey, and is a proponent of so-called ‘religious freedom’聽laws that would allow greater discrimination against LGBTI people,” spokesperson Rodney Croome said.
“We hope Morrison will govern for all Australians, and not use ‘religious freedom’聽as an excuse to erode equal rights and protections for LGBTI Australians.
“Our message to Morrison is that LGBTI people are Australians too, are as Prime Minister he has a duty to look after our welfare and protect our rights along with all other Australians.”
Josh Frydenberg聽has been elected deputy leader.
