The Teals should be afraid. Very afraid.
Not of One Nation’s growing popularity, nor the swing toward economic conservatism in the wider community. That’s a problem for the Coalition, especially the Nationals.
No, the Teals have a different reason to fear. This week they received the endorsement of Malcolm Turnbull to form a new progressive political party.
Early this week, Turnbull told the national broadcaster:
‘…people feel the Liberal Party has moved away from the centre … that is why the Teals were elected … I think there is a vacuum for an alternative centre party. Now, the Teals would be obvious people to be part of that, or to do that, and I’ve talked to them about that publicly going back some years.’
The Teals should be wary of platitudes from a former leader who, in my opinion, aggressively turned on those who once handed him the Prime Ministership. His endorsement of a new Teal Party is very much like the captain of the Titanic endorsing the navigational abilities of the pilot of the Hindenburg.
Since leaving politics, Turnbull has been a vocal critic of Coalition policies, such as the Aukus deal signed by the Morrison government. In his speech to the National Press Club in 2025, Turnbull declared that it was ‘unlikely’ Australia would get a single submarine under the Aukus agreement.
In November of last year, Turnbull castigated the Coalition’s climate change policy as a new ‘culture war’ describing the opposition as a bunch of ‘goldfish who have no memory’ and ‘piranhas’ looking to eat one another.
At the unveiling of his own Prime Ministerial portrait in Canberra in late 2025, Turnbull couldn’t resist a dig at the Coalition apparently claiming they had ‘lost their way’.
It’s not just Liberal policies and brand that have attracted Turnbull’s ire. Commentary on his former colleagues over the years has been particularly acidic.
Following his election as Leader of the Opposition, Angus Taylor copped a nasty spray from Turnbull on the ABC, stating, ‘A lot of people say about Angus Taylor, that he’s the best qualified idiot they’ve ever met.’ Turnbull went on to prognosticate about Taylor’s inability to develop policies needed to restore the Liberal Party’s fortunes; or at least policies that Turnbull himself agrees with.
Turnbull had previously savaged former Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, in a similar fashion, labelling him a ‘thug’ and claiming he couldn’t think of anyone less suited to be Prime Minister.
Looking at Mr Turnbull’s track record during his time as Prime Minister, the high ground from which he carps looks decidedly shaky. It should also fill the Teals with trepidation regarding his ringing endorsement of them officially uniting under one banner.
When announced in 2017, Malcolm Turnbull’s flagship Snowy Hydro 2.0 project was originally forecast to cost between $1.5 and $2 billion. The project subsequently blew out to over $12 billion by 2023 and to $22 billion in 2026 – eleven times greater than when Turnbull launched the project.
Turnbull also presided over a massive swing against the government in the 2016 election, losing many seats following an utterly lack-lustre campaign. He then proceeded to lose the confidence of his own party room and the Prime Ministership along with it.
Barely a few weeks pass without Turnbull loosing another volley at his former colleagues.
This should sound a clarion of warning for the Teals. Heeding the advice of one who presided over such electoral and policy carnage, only to turn on those who gave him the keys of power, is perhaps unwise.
Angus Taylor and the Coalition should also take note. Should the policies they take to the next federal election meet with the approval of Malcolm Turnbull, it may necessitate a return to the policy drawing board post haste.
Brad Emery is a writer and former staffer in the Howard Government
