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INDI Liberal candidate Sophie Mirabella has paid tribute to close friend Tony Abbott after being toppled by Malcolm Turnbull as party leader and Prime Minister on Monday night.
The former member for Indi issued a statement after Mr Abbott was dumped by his Liberal colleagues 54-44 in favour of Mr Turnbull soon after the two year anniversary of the Coalition returning to office.
“Tony Abbott has been a close friend of mine for over 25 years,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“I have enormous admiration and respect for him and his long term commitment to making Australia a better place.
“I congratulate Mr Turnbull for being elected the leader of the Liberal Party and consequently Prime Minister.
“As communications minister, I have regularly made him aware of our priorities for Indi and our broader concerns.
“In his new capacity as Prime Minister, I will continue my discussions with Malcolm to ensure Indi priorities are top of mind.”
Mr Abbott had a cabinet position reserved for Mrs Mirabella after the 2013 election, but she lost the seat to independent Cathy McGowan.
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley was part of the vote to decide the party leadership and position of Prime Minister.
But she was unavailable for comment on Monday night.
She was promoted to health and sports minister by Mr Abbott and it remains unclear whether she will remain in the role due to an inevitable cabinet re-shuffle in the wake of the leadership vote.
Ms Ley declined to declare her support for Mr Abbott or Mr Turnbull before the vote and entered the party room on her own rather than with either of the contenders.
Member for Indi Cathy McGowan refused to be drawn into the change of Prime Minister.
“The leadership is clearly a matter for the Liberal Party,” she said.
“They were elected as the government and I will continue to work with the government.”
The change of leader also has significant ramifications in Indi with the National Party declaring a new Coalition agreement would need to be struck with Mr Turnbull at the helm.
Relations among sections of the two parties in Indi remain strained after the 2013 poll.
The Nationals will run a candidate in Indi next time.
