New Australia PM sticks to script with focus on the economy

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks during a House of Representatives Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, 15 September 2015

New Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull dashed hopes of swift action on progressive issues such as same-sex marriage after he was sworn in as Australia’s fourth leader in two years on Tuesday, promising instead to focus on improving a faltering economy.

The conservative Liberal Party voted in a secret ballot late on Monday to oust Tony Abbott as its leader in favour of Turnbull, a multi-millionaire former tech entrepreneur who is popular with the electorate.

“I’m filled with optimism and we will be setting out in the weeks ahead ... more of those foundations that will ensure our prosperity in the years ahead,” Turnbull told reporters as he headed to parliament on Tuesday before being sworn in.

Abbott was deposed barely two years into his three-year term after months of opinion polls that showed his popularity near rock bottom as Australia’s $ 1.5 trillion economy struggles to cope with the end of a once-in-a-century mining boom.

Turnbull had previously been unpalatable to his party’s right wing because of his progressive views on climate change, same-sex marriage and making Australia a republic.

In his first address to parliament as leader, Turnbull stuck to the ruling coalition’s timetable set under Abbott and said Australians would vote on same-sex marriage after elections due next year.

Abbott’s dismal performance and over-reliance on slogans to sell his major policies, including a hardline approach to refugees, eventually wore down internal opposition to Turnbull.

Abbott pledged to make the leadership transition as smooth as possible but, in his last address as leader on Tuesday, also expressed concern that “a revolving door prime ministership can’t be good for our country”. Australia has been convulsed by backroom machinations and party coups in recent years that have shaken public and business confidence in Government.

“There will be no wrecking, no undermining, and no sniping,” Abbott told reporters. The Nationals, the minor partner in the ruling conservative coalition, pledged to work with Turnbull.

“A close working team is essential to delivering the good government Australia expects from their elected representatives,” Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said in a statement.

Turnbull, a staunch republican, was sworn in at government house in Canberra by Governor General Peter Cosgrove, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain’s representative in Australia.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle briefly set aside partisan bickering to praise the outgoing Abbott.

Significant changes are expected when Turnbull, who had been toppled as Liberal Party leader by Abbott in 2009, unveils his ministry later this week.