The End of Malcolm Turnbull (for now)

Malcolm Turnbull, former federal liberal party leader announced his intention to retire at the next election.

I have followed Turnbull’s remarkable career for many years now.

He is one of few individuals able to master one career after another almost effortlessly and in record time.

As a very young lawyer Turnbull successfully defended former MI5 Agent Peter Wright against the British Government in the High Court of Australia.

Turnbull did in his 20′s what some lawyers can only dream of doing in their 50′s or 60′s.

Before entering parliament in 2004, he also enjoyed a long public life as a successful journalist, businessman and merchant banker. Turnbull also led the ill-fated charge for Australia to become a republic in 1999.

Turnbull was described by Tony Abbott, his political successor, as a ‘force of nature’.

I was not a fan of Turnbull’s push for a republic or his insistence on an ETS. I also wonder if he could have performed just as well for the Labour Party since there is so little difference between our major parties these days.

But you can’t help admire a man with so much energy, drive and chutzpah.

On all accounts Turnbull is a devoted family man and a recent convert to Catholicism. In his own way, Turnbull has, at every stage of his full life, sought to make a difference.

It is a shame Turnbull wasn’t American since the US is already a republic and he could have bankrolled his campaign all the way to the White House.

Turnbull was always too big for the island nation of Australia.

I suspect that the things that Turnbull wanted to see happen like the republic and the ETS, will ultimately materialise though perhaps not in his lifetime.

Post-politics, the world is still an oyster for Turnbull. He is cashed up (as the wealthiest person in parliament) and ready to invest in enviro-commerce projects and who knows what else is up his sleeve.

Turnbull will again find success in some new orb. Like the mythical phoenix, his star will rise though not in the political sphere.

So what is there to learn from Malcolm Turnbull?

On the negative side, it was widely reported that Turnbull was somewhat impatient with his parliamentary colleagues. I am being kind with this description.

Remember Turnbull only lost the leadership ballot to Tony Abbott by one vote. If he had treated others with an ounce more respect perhaps he would still be leader and the ETS would now be law. It was reported that Turnbull treated the media better than his own colleagues.

All the brilliance of a person (whether Malcolm Turnbull or Joe Blow) does not make up for common civility and courtesy. In fact, others are quick to fell a tall poppy, particularly if they feel their necks are being crushed.

At the end of the day believers have more reasons to seize every day of life than do the children of this world.

We are commanded to redeem the time, not because of a temporal kingdom we can improve, or for wealth to be won, but because the days are evil.

Turnbull had the energy and drive of the Apostle Paul but with different, even lesser goals.

Let’s replicate both the means and the ends of God’s choicest followers.

For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. Luke 16:8

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

By Robert Apps

---

When you comment, please keep these guidelines in mind. You can find an explanation of our commenting guidelines here.

1. Stay on topic.
2. Post your own material.
3. Links must be supplemental and thoroughly relevant.
4. Be concise.
5. Use your real name.

Stay connected by subscribing to our RSS or email feed! Or print this post.

Copyright © 2012 InFocus | ElegantBlue is a custom theme by Nathan Rice