Parkes MP Mark Coulton says he is concerned that Australians are “losing their faith” in the political system after last week’s dramatic events.
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A week of turmoil in Australian politics led to a leadership spill that was instigated by Peter Dutton and his supporters, and which led to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stepping away from politics altogether. There was a three-way race for the vacant leadership position with Scott Morrison beating out Mr Dutton and Julie Bishop.
“I think people are losing faith in the Australian political system and I think it would be a very serious issue if that was the case because we are a democracy, and one of the things is we can change the leadership any time whether people like it or not,” Mr Coulton said.
“If people walk away from [the political system], that would be a bad thing.
“The wheels of government haven't stopped, so I hope people will rest their faith in our system.”
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Mr Coulton said he received a number of “angry” phone calls and emails last week, but this week the tone was calmer.
“There seems to be a pretty good acceptance that Scott Morrison was the best choice that could have been made… and I agree with that as well,” he said.
“I think now that Scott Morrison’s new ministers can unite behind him and his party gets behind him, I think he's got an opportunity to stabilise the government. And I think when people get to know Scott Morrison, I think they’ll get to like and respect him.
“The Australian people are watching very carefully now to see how the Morrison government goes and I think they could be in a very good position by the time the election comes around next year.”
The wheels of government haven't stopped, so I hope people will rest their faith in our system.
- Parkes MP Mark Coulton
Mr Coulton said he was “pleased” to retain his portfolio as Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.
“Trade is a very important part of the economy of the area I represent, including Gunnedah,” he said.
“I’m pleased we’ve got stability in that area.
“Apart from the instability in the Liberal Party and the drought, which no one has any control over… everything's been pretty positive and I would hate to see that important work we’ve done come unstuck by a change of government.”
Mr Coulton is now preparing to travel to Singapore to speak with China, Japan, India, [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] ASEAN countries and New Zealand about an “overarching trade agreement” for the area.
