Turnbull slams commentator Andrew Bolt
Malcolm Turnbull has described suggestions by conservative political commentator Andrew Bolt that he’s trying to take back the Liberal leadership as “unhinged” and bordering on “demented”.
Bolt asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the weekend whether Turnbull’s recent dinner with billionaire crossbench MP Clive Palmer was an indication Turnbull has designs on the party’s top job.
Turnbull says Bolt’s comments border on the “demented”.
“It is quite unhinged,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
“Mr Bolt is fond of attacking what he regards as the government’s enemies in the media, principal amongst whom of course he numbers the ABC.
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“(But) I don’t think you would see anything as crazy as that on the ABC.
“He proclaims loudly that he is a friend of the government – well with friends like Bolt, we don’t need any enemies.”
Abbott on Sunday played down Turnbull’s actions, saying it was “perfectly reasonable” for senior members of the Coalition to talk with crossbenchers to help get the budget passed.
Bolt has written on his blog the he is sure Turnbull is not contemplating any imminent challenge.
Bolt writes for Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, which includes The Advertiser.
