Malcolm Turnbull throws shade on his former party with sarcastic spray as Aussies call out strange detail in new portrait
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull used the unveiling of his official portrait at Parliament House to deliver a sharp critique of the Liberals' plan to dump net zero.'Seven years since I stopped being PM, there's still reality denial; physics denial is still alive,' Turnbull said during his speech, delivered in front of an audience that included Liberal Deputy Leader Sussan Ley.'Energy policy should be made by engineering and economics, not ideology and idiocy,' he said.Turnbull was blunt about the Liberal Party's direction.'I think there's a major problem on what used to be called the right of politics. I mean, I think they have lost their way.'This was always an issue in my time, but it's just got worse and worse and worse.'Turnbull said a growing faction within the party is increasingly focused on pleasing a narrow segment of supporters.'There are a group of people there now, I think essentially a majority, who think the object of politics is to win the approval of a relatively narrow part of what you might call the right-wing media - Sky After Dark, fellow travellers on social media and radio.' Malcolm Turnbull (left) and artist Jude Rae (right) unveil his portrait in Canberra He accused the Liberals of prioritising culture wars over substantive policy.'They're running on culture war issues, on reality denial. It's really sad.'Turnbull also claimed the party had alienated its traditional business base.'I can tell you, what few supporters they have left in the business community? They would just be horrified.'He went so far as to question the party's future.'There are now questions about whether the Liberal Party will survive.'Turnbull praised independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, saying she contributes more to policy debate than the Coalition. Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) slammed his former party, saying the Liberals had 'lost their way' 'She has more to say, as one crossbencher, about tax policy, economic policy, productivity, than the Coalition does.'The Coalition continues to struggle in opinion polling, even after abandoning net-zero emissions as a policy, instead opting for a 'technology neutral approach' aimed at reducing emissions while containing costs.A number of Turnbull's former cabinet colleagues were in attendance, including Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, Attorney-General George Brandis and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.The painting, created by acclaimed Sydney artist Jude Rae over five sessions in her Redfern studio, depicts Turnbull mid-sentence, his hands outstretched- a pose that left some attendees puzzled.'It's strange he has his hands out like that – it looks like he is trying to be a sales rep at Bing Lee – rather than a former PM,' one attendee told the Daily Mail.Another agreed, describing the pose as 'odd' and questioning why he appeared to be speaking mid-sentence.Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was effusive in her praise, calling the portrait 'an extraordinary reflection of Malcolm Turnbull. It captures the essence of the man. His enthusiasm, his energy, his charisma'. The artwork left attendees divided, with some unsure about Turnbull's movement in the pieceBishop described the backdrop as a 'sunrise' and noted Turnbull's tie was 'vermillion.'Independent MP Sophie Scamps was equally impressed.'I think it's new and extraordinary and I think it'll really draw attention. And I do think it shows the energy of the former PM.'Former NSW Treasurer and Climate Change Authority Chair Matt Kean agreed.'It's very prime ministerial, as Malcolm is.'
