Leaked WhatsApp messages have revealed that Julie Bishop's attempt to become leader of the federal Liberal party during last week's leadership spill was deliberately thwarted by her own colleagues. The messages, obtained by the ABC's Insiders program, show that Liberal MPs who supported her bid orchestrated a tactical vote against her to prevent Peter Dutton from seizing power.
Bishop had entered the three-way contest to replace Malcolm Turnbull, alongside Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton. However, she was eliminated in the first round with just 11 votes out of 85, allowing Morrison to defeat Dutton 45-40 in the final round. The leaked group chat reveals that MPs were warned of a rumour that some Dutton supporters planned to vote for Bishop in the first round to push Morrison out, so that his votes would then go to Dutton in the second round.
In the messages, Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher warned: 'Cormann rumoured to be putting some WA votes behind Julie Bishop in round 1. Be aware that this is a ruse trying to get her ahead of Morrison so he drops out & his votes go to Dutton.' He added: 'Despite our hearts tugging us to Julie we need to vote with our heads for Scott in round one.' Someone in the group suggested: 'Someone should tell Julie.'
The WhatsApp group included prominent Liberals such as Kelly O'Dwyer, Julia Banks, Julian Lesser, Lucy Gichuhi, Simon Birmingham, Scott Ryan, Christopher Pyne, Paul Fletcher, and Craig Laundy. Senator Mathias Cormann has denied the rumour, calling it '100% incorrect.' Bishop, who resigned from cabinet, has not yet decided whether to remain in parliament beyond the next election.
