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{{short description|Prime Minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| honorific_suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC|size=100}}
| image               = Malcolm Turnbull PEO (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2015
| alt                 = Image of Malcolm Turnbull
| office              = 29th [[Prime Minister of Australia]]<!--No election dates.-->
| monarch             = [[Elizabeth II]]
| governor_general    = [[Sir Peter Cosgrove]]
| deputy              = [[Warren Truss]]<br />[[Barnaby Joyce]]<br />[[Michael McCormack (Australian politician)|Michael McCormack]]
| term_start          = 15 September 2015
| term_end            = 24 August 2018
| predecessor         = [[Tony Abbott]]
| successor           = [[Scott Morrison]]
| office1             = [[Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia|Leader of the Liberal Party]]
| deputy1             = [[Julie Bishop]]
| term_start1         = 14 September 2015
| term_end1           = 24 August 2018
| predecessor1        = Tony Abbott
| successor1          = Scott Morrison
| deputy2             = Julie Bishop
| term_start2         = 16 September 2008
| term_end2           = 1 December 2009
| predecessor2        = [[Brendan Nelson]]
| successor2          = Tony Abbott
| office4             = [[Minister for Communications (Australia)|Minister for Communications]]
| primeminister4      = Tony Abbott
| term_start4         = 18 September 2013
| term_end4           = 14 September 2015
| predecessor4        = [[Anthony Albanese]]
| successor4          = [[Mitch Fifield]]
| office3             = [[List of Australian Leaders of the Opposition|Leader of the Opposition]]
| primeminister3      = [[Kevin Rudd]]
| deputy3             = Julie Bishop
| term_start3         = 16 September 2008
| term_end3           = 1 December 2009
| predecessor3        = Brendan Nelson
| successor3          = Tony Abbott
| office5             = [[Minister of the Environment (Australia)|Minister for the Environment and Water]]
| primeminister5      = [[John Howard]]
| term_start5         = 30 January 2007
| term_end5           = 3 December 2007
| predecessor5        = [[Ian Campbell (Australian politician)|Ian Campbell]]
| successor5          = [[Peter Garrett]]
| constituency_MP6    = [[Division of Wentworth|Wentworth]]
| parliament6         = Australian
| term_start6         = 9 October 2004
| term_end6           = 31 August 2018
| predecessor6        = [[Peter King (Australian politician)|Peter King]]
| successor6          = [[Kerryn Phelps]]
| office7             = [[Australian Republic Movement|Chairman of the Australian Republican Movement]]
| term_start7         = November 1993
| term_end7           = 20 September 2000
| predecessor7        = [[Tom Keneally]]
| successor7          = [[Greg Barns]]
| birth_name          = Malcolm Bligh Turnbull
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1954|10|24|df=y}}
| birth_place         = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]
| otherparty          = [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Lucy Turnbull|Lucy Hughes]]|1980}}
| children            = 2
| parents             = Bruce Turnbull<br/>[[Coral Lansbury]]
| education           = [[Vaucluse Public School]]<br/>Sydney Grammar St Ives Preparatory School<br/>[[Sydney Grammar School]]
| alma_mater          = [[University of Sydney]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]])<br />[[Brasenose College, Oxford]] ([[Bachelor of Civil Law|BCL]])
| profession          = {{hlist|[[Barrister]]|businessman|politician}}
| website             = {{URL|malcolmturnbull.com.au|Official website}}
| signature           = Malcolm Turnbull signature 2018.svg
| relations           = [[Angela Lansbury]] (second cousin once removed)
}}
{{Malcolm Turnbull sidebar}}
'''Malcolm Bligh Turnbull''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC}} (born 24 October 1954) is an Australian former politician and businessman who served as the 29th [[prime minister of Australia]] from 2015 to 2018. He held office as [[Liberal Party of Australia|leader of the Liberal Party of Australia]] and was the [[member of parliament]] (<span class="ltr">MP</span>) for the [[New South Wales]] division of [[Division of Wentworth|Wentworth]] from 2004 to 2018.

Turnbull graduated from the [[University of Sydney]] as a Bachelor of Arts and a [[Bachelor of Laws]], before attending [[Brasenose College, Oxford]], as a [[Rhodes Scholarship|Rhodes Scholar]], earning a [[Bachelor of Civil Law]] degree. For more than two decades, he worked as a journalist, lawyer, [[merchant bank]]er, and [[venture capital]]ist. He was Chair of the [[Australian Republic Movement|Australian Republican Movement]] from 1993 to 2000, and was one of the leaders of the unsuccessful "Yes" campaign in the [[1999 Australian republic referendum|1999 republic referendum]]. He was first elected to the [[Australian House of Representatives]] as a [[member of parliament]] (<span class="ltr">MP</span>) for the [[division of Wentworth]] in [[New South Wales]] at the [[2004 Australian federal election|2004 election]], and was [[Minister of the Environment (Australia)|Minister for the Environment and Water]] in the [[Howard government]] from January 2007 until December 2007.

After coming second in the [[2007 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election|2007 leadership election]], Turnbull won the leadership of the Liberal Party in a [[2008 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill|leadership spill]] the following year and became [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]]. However, his support of the [[Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme]] proposed by the [[Rudd government (2007–2010)|Rudd government]] in December 2009 led in turn to a [[2009 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill|leadership challenge]] by [[Tony Abbott]], who defeated Turnbull by a single vote. Though initially planning to leave politics after this, Turnbull chose to remain and was later appointed [[Minister for Communications (Australia)|Minister for Communications]] in the [[Abbott government]] following the [[Coalition (Australia)|Liberal-National Coalition's]] victory at the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 election]].

Two years later, citing consistently poor opinion polling, Turnbull resigned from the Cabinet on 14 September 2015 and [[September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill|challenged]] Abbott, successfully reclaiming the leadership of the Liberal Party by ten votes. He was sworn in as prime minister the following day. The [[Turnbull government]] initiated the National Innovation and Science Agenda as its key economic priority, working to promote [[STEM]] education, increase [[venture capital]] funding for new [[start-ups]], and launch an "ideas boom".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Borrello |first1=Eliza |title=Innovation statement: PM Malcolm Turnbull calls for 'ideas boom' as he unveils $1b vision for Australia's future |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-07/pm-malcolm-turnbull-unveils-$1-billion-innovation-program/7006952 |website=ABC News |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=20 October 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108110037/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-07/pm-malcolm-turnbull-unveils-$1-billion-innovation-program/7006952 |url-status=live }}</ref> Turnbull also pursued "city deals" with local and state governments to improve planning outcomes and encourage investment in major infrastructure projects such as the [[Western Sydney Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dole |first1=Nick |title=UK 'city deals' model to be adapted for Australia under Malcolm Turnbull's cities plan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-25/uk-city-model-to-be-adapted-for-australia/7276252 |website=ABC News |date=24 March 2016 |access-date=20 October 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108091843/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-25/uk-city-model-to-be-adapted-for-australia/7276252 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, Turnbull led the Coalition to a narrow victory in a [[2016 Australian federal election|double dissolution election]].<ref name=lead2>{{cite web |url=http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HousePartyRepresentationLeading-20499.htm |title=Party representation – 2016 Tally Room: AEC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720071728/http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HousePartyRepresentationLeading-20499.htm |archive-date=20 July 2016 }}</ref> In his second term, Turnbull initiated and campaigned for the "Yes" side in the [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|same-sex marriage plebiscite]], which was ultimately successful. Turnbull also announced [[Snowy Hydro 2.0]], a major expansion of the [[Snowy Mountains Scheme]] as a key component in enabling the transition to [[renewable energy]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coorey |first1=Phillip |title=Federal government to pour $2 billion into major Snowy Hydro expansion |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal-government-to-pour-2bn-into-major-snowy-hydro-expansion-20170315-guyo3r |website=Australian Financial Review |date=15 March 2017 |access-date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020013737/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal-government-to-pour-2bn-into-major-snowy-hydro-expansion-20170315-guyo3r |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 2017, the government experienced a [[2017-18 Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis|parliamentary eligibility crisis]] that saw fifteen parliamentarians forced out of Parliament due to concerns about [[dual citizenship]]. 

To address climate change and reform energy policy, in August 2018 Turnbull proposed the [[National Energy Guarantee]]. Although initially agreed to by the Cabinet, the policy was ultimately rejected by the party room. This, combined with poor [[Opinion polls|opinion polling]], led to [[Peter Dutton]] [[2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills|challenging Turnbull]] for the Liberal leadership. Although Turnbull defeated Dutton in the party room, a majority of MPs demanded a second spill, which Turnbull did not contest. On 24 August 2018, [[Scott Morrison]] defeated Dutton and [[Julie Bishop]] in the contest, and replaced Turnbull as prime minister. Turnbull resigned from Parliament, triggering a [[2018 Wentworth by-election|by-election in his former seat of Wentworth]].<ref name="Mizen-2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/malcolm-turnbull-formally-resigns-forces-byelection-20180831-h14rte?|title=Malcolm Turnbull formally resigns, forces byelection|last=Mizen|first=Ronald|date=31 August 2018|newspaper=[[Australian Financial Review]]|language=en|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831101658/https://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/malcolm-turnbull-formally-resigns-forces-byelection-20180831-h14rte|url-status=live}}</ref> The Liberal Party lost the by-election to independent candidate [[Kerryn Phelps]], which resulted in the Coalition losing its absolute majority in the House of Representatives.

Since retiring from politics, Turnbull has become an advisor to Kasada, an Australian [[cybersecurity]] start-up.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eyers |first1=James |title=Turnbull joins Kasada board, touts Huawei foresight |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/turnbull-joins-kasada-board-touts-huawei-foresight-20200621-p554s1 |website=Australian Financial Review |date=22 June 2020 |access-date=20 October 2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022183057/https://www.afr.com/technology/turnbull-joins-kasada-board-touts-huawei-foresight-20200621-p554s1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He has been critical of the direction of the Liberal Party, and has joined with his former opponent [[Kevin Rudd]] in criticising the dominance of [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[News Corp Australia|News Corp]] in Australian political debate.

==Early life and education==
Malcolm Bligh Turnbull was born in Sydney, on 24 October 1954, the only child of Bruce Bligh Turnbull and [[Coral Lansbury|Coral Magnolia Lansbury]]. His father was a hotel broker, while his mother was a radio actor, writer, and academic, and a second cousin of the British film and television actress [[Angela Lansbury]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/lansbury-coral-magnolia-17182|title=Obituary – Coral Magnolia Lansbury – Obituaries Australia|work=anu.edu.au|access-date=16 September 2015|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029072452/http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/lansbury-coral-magnolia-17182|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=adb /><ref name="Fowler-1991">{{cite news |last=Fowler |first=Glenn |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE6D9153EF937A35757C0A967958260 |title=Coral Lansbury, 61, a Novelist And Victorian Scholar, Is Dead |newspaper=[[The New York Times|New York Times]] |date=4 April 1991 |access-date=27 April 2010 |archive-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525223119/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/04/obituaries/coral-lansbury-61-a-novelist-and-victorian-scholar-is-dead.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live }}</ref> His maternal grandmother, May Lansbury (''née'' Morle), was born in England, while his other grandparents were Australian-born.<ref name=adb>{{cite web|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lansbury-coral-magnolia-17182|title=Lansbury, Coral Magnolia (1929–1991)|quote=Lansbury was to marry three times. Her first marriage, on 20 February 1953 at the registrar general’s office, Sydney, was to the sixty-four-year-old veteran actor and producer George Harold Edwards; it was his fourth. He contracted pneumonia and was hospitalised two days after the wedding; six months later he died. Lansbury’s son, Malcolm Turnbull, was born in October 1954; she married his father, Bruce Bligh Turnbull, electrician and later a travelling salesman, on 29 December 1955 at Campbell Street Presbyterian Church, Balmain. Malcolm was sent as a boarder to Sydney Grammar School in 1963, and Bruce took care of him when Lansbury left the marriage soon after. She married John (Jock) Salmon after their respective divorces.|first=Melanie|last=Nolan|orig-year=2015|year=2021|publisher=[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]], National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]]|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904210940/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lansbury-coral-magnolia-17182|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/will-privilege-drown-his-message/2008/09/16/1221330837605.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=Will privilege drown his message? |date=17 September 2008 |access-date=18 March 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202657/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/will-privilege-drown-his-message/2008/09/16/1221330837605.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is also of [[Scottish people|Scottish]] descent; his great-great-great-grandfather John Turnbull (1751–1834) arrived on the ''[[Coromandel (1793 ship)|Coromandel]]'' in 1802 in [[New South Wales]] and became a tailor. In an interview in 2015, Turnbull said that his [[middle name]] "Bligh" has been a family tradition for generations, originally given in honour of Governor [[William Bligh]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2015/s4316999.htm Malcolm Turnbull – Extended Interview Transcript] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811193555/http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2015/s4316999.htm |date=11 August 2016 }} – PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT: Monday, 21 September 2015 Malcolm Turnbull interview with Belinda Hawkins</ref> Turnbull's parents married in December 1955, fourteen months after his birth.<ref>{{cite dictionary|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lansbury-coral-magnolia-17182|dictionary=[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]|year=2015|author=Melanie Nolan|title=Lansbury, Coral Magnolia (1929–1991)|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=14 September 2015|archive-date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904210940/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lansbury-coral-magnolia-17182|url-status=live}}</ref> The Turnbulls lived in a two-bedroom flat in [[Vaucluse, New South Wales|Vaucluse]], where Turnbull would attend the [[Vaucluse Public School|nearby public school]].<ref name="Turnbull">Turnbull (2020), p. 11</ref> Bruce and Coral's marriage was an unhappy one, and Turnbull wrote that the couple rarely slept or spent time together, only staying married due to himself.<ref name="Turnbull" /> Coral frequently belittled her husband about his lack of education and that the fortunes of the family depended on her.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 9</ref> Coral started spending increasing amounts of time with John Salmon, a professor of history at the [[University of New South Wales]]. When Turnbull was nine, Salmon received a teaching post in [[New Zealand]], and Coral went with him, ending the marriage. Bruce told Turnbull that Coral was studying for another degree, which although Coral did get a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in New Zealand, was an effort by Bruce to hide the fact that Coral had left him.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 12-13</ref> Turnbull was from then raised solely by his father.<ref name="Ackland-2003" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Sandra |last=Lee |title=A leader in waiting? |newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |date=3 December 2006 |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20853389-5001031,00.html |access-date=11 September 2007 |archive-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216121826/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20853389-5001031,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title =Turnbull battles for Wentworth |publisher =[[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC TV]] |work =[[The 7.30 Report]] |date =8 November 2007 |url =http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s2085244.htm |access-date =9 November 2007 |archive-date =9 November 2007 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071109071053/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s2085244.htm |url-status =dead|first=Matt|last=Peacock }}</ref><ref name=randomhouse>{{cite web |title = Born to Rule: The unauthorised biography of Malcolm Turnbull by Paddy Manning – Books – Random House Books Australia |url = http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/paddy-manning/born-to-rule-the-unauthorised-biography-of-malcolm-turnbull-9780522868807.aspx |website = Random House Australia |access-date = 25 October 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160806215220/http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/paddy-manning/born-to-rule-the-unauthorised-biography-of-malcolm-turnbull-9780522868807.aspx |archive-date = 6 August 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Turnbull suffered from [[asthma]] as a young child.<ref name="Paddy Manning">{{cite news |author=Paddy Manning |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/the-lonely-childhood-of-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-20151022-gkfi6c.html |title=The lonely childhood of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull |newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018060320/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/the-lonely-childhood-of-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-20151022-gkfi6c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

After spending his first three years of schooling at [[Vaucluse Public School]], he started boarding at [[Sydney Grammar School]] in [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives]]. Turnbull wrote that he hated boarding school, as he was bullied due to [[Bed wetter|bed wetting]].<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 12-13</ref> Bruce, now a single father, had troubles paying school fees, causing many letters to be sent to the Turnbull residence from the school [[bursar]].<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 14</ref> These financial issues forced the Turnbulls to move from Vaucluse to a small flat in [[Double Bay]], where they lived without much furniture.<ref>Turnbull (2020) p. 14-15</ref> Turnbull then began to attend Grammar's high school campus on [[College Street, Sydney|College Street]], on a partial scholarship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-lonely-childhood-of-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-20151022-gkfi6c.html |title=The lonely childhood of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull |first=Paddy |last=Manning |date=23 October 2015 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018060320/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/the-lonely-childhood-of-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-20151022-gkfi6c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During this time he lived at the school's former [[Randwick, New South Wales|Randwick]] boarding facilities.<ref name="Clune-2013">{{cite web |last=Clune |first=Richard |date=1 March 2013 |title=GQ&A with Malcolm Turnbull |url=https://www.gq.com.au/life/people/gq+a+with+malcolm+turnbull,22392 |work=GQ |access-date=19 December 2017 |archive-date=30 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234610/http://www.gq.com.au/life/people/gq+a+with+malcolm+turnbull,22392 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/meet-malcolm/biography |title=Biography |publisher=Malcolm Turnbull MP |access-date=29 December 2013 |archive-date=14 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114145953/http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/meet-malcolm/biography |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Q&A">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s2926624.htm |title=Panellist: Malcolm Turnbull |work=Q&A |date=20 December 2018 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=29 December 2013 |archive-date=2 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102024559/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s2926624.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Overington-2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/politics/im-no-silvertail-says-new-leader/story-e6frgczf-1111117505479 |title=I'm no silvertail, says new leader Malcolm Turnbull |first1=Caroline |last1=Overington |author-link1=Caroline Overington |first2=James |last2=Madden |newspaper=The Australian |publisher=News Limited |date=17 September 2008 |access-date=29 December 2013 |archive-date=12 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812064708/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/politics/im-no-silvertail-says-new-leader/story-e6frgczf-1111117505479 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also during this time Bruce remarried, and his business continued to grow. The Turnbulls moved into a large apartment in [[Point Piper]], and the pressure of the school fees was relieved.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 19</ref> Although a mediocre mathematician, Turnbull excelled in Greek, English, and History, and joined the debating and drama clubs, where he won the [[Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition]] and starred in numerous [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] plays, respectively.<ref name="Paddy Manning"/><ref name="Clune-2013" /><ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 19-21</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.turfcraft.com.au/news/metro/national/education/hsc-results-malcolm-turnbull-recalls-the-day-he-received-his-results-as-wait-for-nsw-students-is-almost-over/2681908.aspx?storypage=0 |title=HSC results: Malcolm Turnbull recalls the day he received his results as wait for NSW students is almost over |first=Josephine |last=Tovey |publisher=Turf Craft |date=16 December 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131229122011/http://www.turfcraft.com.au/news/metro/national/education/hsc-results-malcolm-turnbull-recalls-the-day-he-received-his-results-as-wait-for-nsw-students-is-almost-over/2681908.aspx?storypage=0|archive-date=29 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was made senior school co-captain in 1972,<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 22</ref> however, contrary to certain sources, Turnbull was not the [[Dux#Education|dux]] of his graduating year at Sydney Grammar.<ref name="Overington-2008" /><ref name="McNicoll-2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/dux-hunting-season/story-e6frg6n6-1111117522477 |title=Dux-hunting season |first=D. D. |last=McNicoll |date=19 September 2008 |work=The Australian |access-date=29 December 2013 |archive-date=22 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522082637/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/dux-hunting-season/story-e6frg6n6-1111117522477 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1987, in memory of his late father, he set up the Bruce Turnbull means-tested scholarship at Sydney Grammar, offering full remission of fees to a student unable to afford them.<ref name="Q&A" />

In 1973, Turnbull attended the [[University of Sydney]], graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1977 and a [[Bachelor of Laws]] in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/leadership/2016/Malcolm-Turnbull's-Life-and-Career-at-a-Glance|title=Malcolm Turnbull's Life and Career at a Glance|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510072200/http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/leadership/2016/Malcolm-Turnbull's-Life-and-Career-at-a-Glance|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=smhrise>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-rise-and-rise-of-malcolm-turnbull/2008/09/16/1221330800769.html|title=The rise and rise of Malcolm Turnbull – National – smh.com.au|date=16 September 2008|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-date=12 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712125146/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-rise-and-rise-of-malcolm-turnbull/2008/09/16/1221330800769.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Fell|first=Liz|author-link=Elizabeth Fell|date=2011|title=Malcolm Turnbull: A feisty interview with the Shadow Minister|journal=Telecommunications Journal of Australia|archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217010152/https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/8e19d297-67ac-45e7-8f9f-d4565b67221f/1/tja_2011_vol61_no1_02-fell.pdf|url-status=live|volume=61|pages=2.1–2.10|doi=10.7790/tja.v61i1.191|number=1|hdl=1959.3/455311|doi-access=free|url=https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/items/8e19d297-67ac-45e7-8f9f-d4565b67221f/1/}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=12344|title=University of Sydney welcomes alumni to Cabinet|first=Kirsten|last=Andrews|publisher=University of Sydney|date=16 September 2013|access-date=29 December 2013|archive-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235118/http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=12344|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull wrote for the school's newspaper, ''[[Honi Soit]]'', writing largely about politics.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 24</ref> Turnbull also visited former [[Premier of New South Wales]] [[Jack Lang (Australian politician)|Jack Lang]], discussing 1920s and 1930s state politics.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 25</ref> During his studies, he was involved in student politics, serving as board director of the [[University of Sydney Union]] and a member of the [[University of Sydney Students' Representative Council|Students' Representative Council]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Jonscher |first=Samantha |url=http://honisoit.com/2015/09/peculiar-turnbullisms-malcolm-at-sydney-uni/ |title=Peculiar Turnbullisms: Malcolm At Sydney Uni – Honi Soit |publisher=[[Honi Soit]] |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222120359/http://honisoit.com/2015/09/peculiar-turnbullisms-malcolm-at-sydney-uni/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Liz Hannan |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/presidency-a-predictor-of-future-political-success-20120914-25xoq.html |title=Presidency a predictor of future political success |publisher=Smh.com.au |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=11 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111134802/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/presidency-a-predictor-of-future-political-success-20120914-25xoq.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also worked part-time as a political journalist for ''[[Nation Review]]'', Radio [[2SM]] and [[Nine Network|Channel 9]], covering state politics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-rise-and-rise-of-malcolm-turnbull/2008/09/16/1221330800769.html|title=The rise and rise of Malcolm Turnbull|date=16 September 2008|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=29 December 2013|archive-date=12 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712125146/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-rise-and-rise-of-malcolm-turnbull/2008/09/16/1221330800769.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Around this time, Turnbull would meet businessman [[Kerry Packer]], for whom he would later do extensive legal work.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 28-29</ref>

In 1978, Turnbull won a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] and attended [[Brasenose College, Oxford]], where he briefly studied for a business degree before switching to a [[postgraduate]] [[Bachelor of Civil Law]] from 1978 to 1980, graduating with honours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sydney.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/recognition/rhodes-scholars.shtml|title=Rhodes scholars|publisher=University of Sydney|access-date=29 December 2013|archive-date=31 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001253/http://sydney.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/recognition/rhodes-scholars.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 36</ref> While at Oxford, he worked for ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' and contributed to newspapers and magazines in both the United States and Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/team-kevin-rattled-as-malcolm-eyes-the-middle-20080920-4kmx.html|title=Team Kevin rattled as Malcolm eyes the middle|work=The Age|date=21 September 2008|access-date=27 April 2010|location=Melbourne|first=Paul|last=Daley|archive-date=16 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216121414/http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/team-kevin-rattled-as-malcolm-eyes-the-middle-20080920-4kmx.html|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=June 2024|reason=No mentions of The Sunday Times found, use another source or quote this one properly.}}</ref> He befriended the future UK prime minister [[Theresa May]], who credits Turnbull for encouraging her husband [[Philip May]] to propose to her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Nick |date=2023-06-22 |title=The prime minister factory: How a UK uni is shaping Australian life |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/the-prime-minister-factory-why-is-a-uk-uni-shaping-australian-life-20230518-p5d9h9.html |url-access=registration |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826214609/https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/the-prime-minister-factory-why-is-a-uk-uni-shaping-australian-life-20230518-p5d9h9.html |quote=As a law student at Oxford in the late 1970s, Malcolm Turnbull befriended the future Conservative prime minister Theresa May. Indeed, she credits Turnbull for nudging her husband, Philip, another Oxford contemporary, into proposing. |url-status=live }}</ref> Turnbull also met his future wife, [[Lucy Turnbull|Lucy]], during this time.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 38</ref> During Turnbull's time at Oxford, a [[Don (academia)|university don]] wrote of him that he was "always going to enter life's rooms without knocking".<ref>{{cite news |quote=In the late 1970s Mr Turnbull was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford, where a don wrote of him that he was “always going to enter life’s rooms without knocking”. Back in Australia he made his name as a lawyer and a fortune as a banker and IT entrepreneur. |title=Turnbull's turn |date=19 September 2015 |location=Sydney |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21665053-yet-another-prime-minister-removed-and-assassin-malcolm-turnbull-promises |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220718124027/https://www.economist.com/asia/2015/09/19/turnbulls-turn |archive-date=18 July 2022 |url-access=subscription |work=[[The Economist]] }}</ref>

== Professional career ==

=== Costigan commission ===
After graduating from Oxford, Turnbull returned to Australia and began working as a [[barrister]]. He was general counsel and secretary for [[ACP Magazines|Australian Consolidated Press]] Holdings Group from 1983 to 1985.<ref name="John Lyons-2014">{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/gw-classics/raging-turnbull-20140904-10c7ye.html| title=Raging Turnbull| author=John Lyons| newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]| date=16 September 2014| access-date=15 April 2017| archive-date=15 April 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415203249/http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/gw-classics/raging-turnbull-20140904-10c7ye.html| url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, he defended [[Kerry Packer]] against the "Goanna" allegations made by the [[Costigan Commission#Broader investigations|Costigan Commission]], accusing Packer of the murder of bank manager Ian Coote, among other crimes. The Commission believed that Packer had committed the murder to hide other criminal activities.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 49</ref> Turnbull attempted to use the press to goad the counsel assisting the commission, Douglas Meagher QC, into suing him and Packer for a 6000-word statement intentionally defamatory of Costigan and Meagher, accusing them of being "unjust, capricious, dishonest and malicious".<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 50-51</ref> The statement worked, and it was printed in full in many newspapers, increasing public opinion of Packer.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 51</ref>  Turnbull later advised Packer to sue Meagher for defamation, an action that was struck down by Justice [[David Hunt (judge)|David Hunt]] as being an [[abuse of process]], saying that Turnbull had managed "to poison the fountain of justice". These tactics made Turnbull enemies within the NSW Bar Association, leading to Turnbull's departure from that organisation.<ref name="John Lyons-2014" /> After the findings of the Costigan Commission were handed down, accusing Packer of tax evasion, drug trafficking and murder, Turnbull phoned [[Premier of Queensland]] [[Joh Bjelke-Petersen]], requesting an inquest into the Commission's findings. Bjelke-Petersen agreed to hold the inquest, which refuted the Costigan Commission's allegations that Packer had committed murder.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 53-54</ref>

=== ''Spycatcher'' trial ===
In partnership with Bruce McWilliam, he established his own law firm, Turnbull McWilliam. During 1986, Turnbull defended [[Peter Wright (MI5 officer)|Peter Wright]], a former [[MI5]] official who wrote the book ''[[Spycatcher]],'' detailing his work for the spy agency during the [[Cold War]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SdozAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KeMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3026%2C5637288 |title=Davie, Michael, "The Young Man is Good on his Feet", ''The Age'', (Tuesday, 9 December 1986), p.11. |access-date=17 February 2024 |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217153551/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SdozAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KeMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3026,5637288 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[United Kingdom|British]] government had obtained an injunction to stop the book's sale, and wanted to do the same in Australia.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 57</ref> Turnbull argued that the book had nothing new in it, that other books with never-before-seen confidential information had been allowed by the British government with minimal changes while wanting to restrict a different book, and that the government had lied to the court through the trial.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 59-62</ref>  The case was successful after going through the [[New South Wales Court of Appeal]], stopping the British government's attempts to suppress the book's publication in Australia. The case was widely reported, making Turnbull a public figure in Australia and the United Kingdom, and causing the book to sell over 2 million copies in Australia.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 66</ref><ref name="Ferguson-2008">{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Ferguson|author-link=Sarah Ferguson (journalist)|title=My Brilliant Career|url=https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/my-brilliant-career/8953112?pfm=ms|work=[[Four Corners (Australian TV program)|Four Corners]]|publisher=[[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]]|date=25 August 2008|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-date=15 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715074743/https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/my-brilliant-career/8953112?pfm=ms|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull later wrote a book on the trial, titled ''The Spycatcher Trial''.<ref>The book was reviewed in 1993 by [[Studies in Intelligence|Center for the Study of Intelligence]], p.46 of the document, {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/static/b871c0f81cf1862b6386edc125c5dc93/Of-Moles-and-Molehunters-1.pdf |title=Of Moles and Molehunters: A Review of Counterintelligence Literature 1977-92 |date=1 October 1993 |publisher=Center for the Study of Intelligence |access-date=30 December 2020 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120000946/https://www.cia.gov/static/b871c0f81cf1862b6386edc125c5dc93/Of-Moles-and-Molehunters-1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{quotation|"The fact of the matter is that nothing is achieved in this world, particularly politically, other than with persistence, and persistence involves repetition and it involves argument and re-argument... The public interest in free speech is not just in truthful speech, in correct speech, in fair speech... The interest is in the debate. You see, every person who has ultimately changed the course of history has started off being unpopular." ''Turnbull's closing submissions, 18 December 1986''<ref>M. Turnbull, "The Spycatcher Trial" (1988), 195.</ref>}}

=== Other legal work ===
In 1987, Turnbull established an investment banking firm, Whitlam Turnbull & Co Ltd, in partnership with [[Neville Wran]], the former [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] [[Premier of New South Wales]], and [[Nicholas Whitlam]], the former Chief Executive of the [[State Bank of New South Wales]] and the son of former Labor Prime Minister [[Gough Whitlam]]. Whitlam parted company with the firm in 1990; it operated as Turnbull & Partners Ltd until 1997.

Turnbull left the firm he co-founded in 1997 to become a managing director of [[Goldman Sachs]] Australia, eventually becoming a partner in Goldman Sachs and Co. Additionally, he worked as a director of Star Technology Systems from 1993 to 1995. During this time Turnbull was also the chairman of Axiom Forest Resources, which conducted logging in the [[Solomon Islands]] under the trading name Silvania Forest Products. The latter's work was described by the [[Australian International Development Assistance Bureau]] as a "[[clearcutting|clear-felling]] operation",<ref>Silmalis, Linda (28 February 2009). Malcolm Turnbull linked to mass logging operation in Solomon Islands, ''The Sunday Telegraph''. Reposted from the original, 2 March 2009: ''[https://malumnalu.blogspot.com/2009/03/malcolm-turnbull-linked-to-mass-logging.html Malum Nalu – Happenings in Papua New Guinea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214075416/https://malumnalu.blogspot.com/2009/03/malcolm-turnbull-linked-to-mass-logging.html |date=14 December 2020 }}'' Retrieved 27 December 2020.</ref> and the then Solomon Islands Prime Minister [[Solomon Mamaloni]] reportedly threatened to close it down for "constant breaches of logging practices", according to a critical article in the ''Solomon Times''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=2632|title=A Former Logger Becomes Australian Federal Opposition Leader|work=Solomon Times|date=21 September 2008|access-date=21 September 2008|archive-date=16 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216122651/http://www.solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=2632|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200809/s2375448.htm|title=Turnbull's logging background raises questions|last=Randhawa|first=Sonia|date=26 September 2008|work=[[ABC Radio Australia]]|access-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216122450/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200809/s2375448.htm|archive-date=16 December 2008}}</ref>

Turnbull purchased a stake in the [[internet service provider]] [[OzEmail]] in 1994 for $500,000. He sold this stake several months before the [[Dot-com bubble|dot com bubble burst]] in 1999 for $57&nbsp;million to then-telecommunications giant MCI [[Worldcom]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Colley|first1=Andrew|title=OzEmail trio presses delete on 18-year association|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/ozemail-trio-presses-delete-on-18-year-association/story-fn91v9q3-1226311799373|access-date=31 May 2016|work=After listing on the NASDAQ in 1996 with Turnbull's help, OzEmail purchased a 50 per cent stake in web hosting company, WebCentral. Three years later, the trio split $240m between them when MCI Worldcom bought OzEmail for $520m (Howard walked away with $120m, and Turnbull and Kennedy took $60m each).|agency=The Australian|publisher=News Corp|date=28 March 2012|archive-date=29 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329231209/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/ozemail-trio-presses-delete-on-18-year-association/story-fn91v9q3-1226311799373|url-status=live}}</ref> <!--In the same year, Turnbull the software and investment company FTR Holdings Ltd to take positions in a number of internet businesses, including [[WebCentral]] and [[Chaos.com]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asx.com.au/asx/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=text&issuerId=4184&announcementId=610507|title=Top 20 Shareholders Chaosmusic Limited|publisher=[[Australian Securities Exchange]]|date=14 December 1999|access-date=27 April 2010}}</ref> -->

In May 2002, Turnbull appeared before the [[HIH Insurance]] [[royal commission]] to be questioned on Goldman Sachs's involvement in the possible [[privatisation]] of one of the acquisitions of the collapsed insurance company. The Royal Commissioner's report made no adverse findings against him or Goldman Sachs,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1576283.htm|title=Turnbull fights HIH liquidator claims|work=[[Lateline]]|publisher=ABC TV|location=Australia|format=transcript|date=22 February 2006|access-date=27 April 2010|archive-date=11 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111151622/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1576283.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> however, Turnbull was one of nine defendants who settled later litigation over the collapse in undisclosed payments, thought to be worth as much as $500m.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/creditors-to-settle-500m-fai-claim-20090706-dal3.html| title=Creditors to settle $500m FAI claim| author=Elisabeth Sexton| newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]| date=7 July 2009| access-date=15 April 2017| archive-date=15 April 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415203242/http://www.smh.com.au/national/creditors-to-settle-500m-fai-claim-20090706-dal3.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early political involvement==
In 1981, Turnbull stood for Liberal Party [[preselection]] in the [[Division of Wentworth]] prior to the [[1981 Wentworth by-election]]. He was defeated by [[Peter Coleman]], who went on to win the seat.<ref name="Ackland-2003">{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Ackland|author-link=Richard Ackland|title=A sureness that weakens Turnbull's case|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=17 October 2003|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/16/1065917548326.html?from=storyrhs|access-date=10 September 2007|archive-date=9 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209015631/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/16/1065917548326.html?from=storyrhs|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1982, following his retirement from politics, former prime minister [[William McMahon]] nominated Turnbull as his preferred successor in [[Division of Lowe|Lowe]]; the Liberals chose another candidate, and lost [[1982 Lowe by-election|the by-election]] to Labor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126869850|title=McMahon's 'suggestion for Lowe candidate'|newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]]|date=6 January 1982|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-date=17 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317040028/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126869850|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull later attempted preselection in the safe state seat of [[Electoral district of Mosman|Mosman]] in 1983, losing to [[Phillip Smiles]]. He let his membership of the Liberal Party lapse in 1986, before rejoining in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|author=Wright, Lincoln|title=PM backs republican Turnbull for spot on think-tank board|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=22 December 2000|page=3}}</ref> Turnbull was made Federal Treasurer of the Liberal Party in 2000, and was a member of the party's federal and New South Wales executives from 2002 to 2003. He also spent time as a director of the [[Menzies Research Centre]], the Liberal Party's research centre.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

=== Australian Republican Movement ===
In 1993, Turnbull was appointed by Prime Minister [[Paul Keating]] as Chair of the [[Republic Advisory Committee]], charged with exploring ways of moving Australia to a [[Republicanism in Australia|republican form of government]] by replacing the [[Monarchy of Australia|Queen of Australia]] with an elected Australian head of state. Later that year, Turnbull became Chair of the [[Australian Republic Movement|Australian Republican Movement]], a position he would hold until 2000. He was an elected delegate at the [[1998 Australian Constitutional Convention]] in [[Canberra]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Vizard, Steve|author-link=Steve Vizard|title=Two Weeks in Lilliput: Bear Baiting and Backbiting At the Constitutional Convention|publisher=Penguin|year=1998|isbn=0-14-027983-0}}</ref> At the convention, Turnbull cautioned against mixing the roles of president and prime minister, advocating a [[parliamentary republic]], and supported the [[bi-partisan appointment republican model]] adopted by the convention.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/republic98/hansard/hans4.html |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/19991210000000/http:/www.theage.com.au/republic98/hansard/hans4.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 1999 |title=The Age and Sydney Morning Herald – Australia's Constitutional Convention 1998|work=Pandora|publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]|access-date=31 July 2012}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Turnbull was an active campaigner in the unsuccessful [[1999 Australian republic referendum|1999 referendum]] to establish an [[Republicanism in Australia|Australian republic]], serving as Chair of the Yes Committee. He published a book on the campaign, titled ''Fighting for the Republic''. When the referendum failed, he accused incumbent prime minister and monarchist [[John Howard]] of "breaking the nation's heart".<ref name=tguard>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/15/malcolm-turnbull-australia-new-pm-prime-minister-profile-liberal-party |title=Australia's new PM: Liberal party stands back to watch the 'Malcolm experiment' – The Guardian 15 September 2015 |newspaper=[[The Guardian Australia]] |date=27 November 2014 |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222124202/http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/15/malcolm-turnbull-australia-new-pm-prime-minister-profile-liberal-party |url-status=live }}</ref> Turnbull retired from the Australian Republican Movement in 2000, having already left the board of [[Ausflag]] in 1994; he joined the [[Australian National Flag Association]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ausflag.com.au/debate/nma/aus040820.html |title=Malcolm Turnbull joins the Australian National Flag Association |publisher=[[Ausflag]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407190933/http://www.ausflag.com.au/debate/nma/aus040820.html |archive-date=7 April 2007}}</ref>

===Choice of political party===
Turnbull has had a long affiliation with the [[Liberal Party of Australia]] throughout his career. During his time in the Australian Republican Movement however, he considered running for preselection for the [[Australian Labor Party]]. Turnbull's mother was close friends with [[Premier of New South Wales]] [[Neville Wran]] and [[Australian Senate|Senator]] [[Lionel Murphy]], who had briefly dated her in university. Both men were members of the Labor Party.<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 5-6</ref> Turnbull himself was also friends with another Labor premier, [[Bob Carr]].<ref>Turnbull (2020), p. 23</ref> In 2015, it was revealed that Turnbull had held talks with Labor state politician [[John Della Bosca]] during the 1990s on a possible party switch, and that he had harboured aspirations in his youth to head the [[Australian Workers' Union]], which is linked with the Labor Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/how-young-malcolm-turnbull-dreamt-of-being-a-union-leader-and-nearly-ran-for-labor/news-story/a0f0ae8703e02129b98e9ade8a61054f |title=How young Malcolm Turnbull dreamt of being a union leader and nearly ran for Labor |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=20 June 2016|last1=Clennell |first1=Andrew }}</ref> The accusation, made by former Labor Foreign Minister [[Bob Carr]], was cited by Labor Leader [[Bill Shorten]] during the [[Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/11/12/shorten-turnbull-awu_n_8540670.html|title=Bill Shorten Claims Malcolm Turnbull Wanted To Be Secretary of the AWU|date=12 November 2015|work=The Huffington Post|last1=Butler|first1=Josh|access-date=24 February 2016|archive-date=2 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302220007/http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/11/12/shorten-turnbull-awu_n_8540670.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Howard government==
===Entry to parliament===

In 2000, Turnbull intended to seek Liberal preselection for [[Division of Wentworth|Wentworth]] but did not eventually contest after concluding that preselection hopeful [[Peter King (Australian politician)|Peter King]] had the numbers in the branches.<ref name=smhrise/> In 2003, Turnbull announced that he would challenge King for the seat and successfully defeated him to become the Liberal candidate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2003/s967026.htm|title=Lateline – 14/10/2003: Turnbull sets sights on Wentworth. Australian Broadcasting Corp|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-date=31 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731034322/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2003/s967026.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=smhrise/> During what was a bitter preselection campaign, King accused Turnbull of [[branch stacking]], by having local members transferring their membership to a branch that would decide the pre-selection, what King referred to as "branch stripping".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2003/s966267.htm| title=King criticises Turnbull's branch stacking tactics| author=Linda Mottram| publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Commission|ABC]]| date=14 October 2003| access-date=15 April 2017| archive-date=16 April 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416051443/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2003/s966267.htm| url-status=live}}</ref>

Following his preselection loss, King stood against Turnbull at the [[2004 Australian federal election|2004 federal election]] as an [[independent politician|independent]] candidate. As a result, the traditionally safe Liberal seat became an electoral wildcard, the contest becoming a three-person race between Turnbull, King and the Labor candidate David Patch. During the campaign, Turnbull spent over {{AUD}}600,000 on his campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Candidate electoral return for the election held on 9 October 2004|publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]|year=2004|url=http://fader.aec.gov.au/return/12246/FAD03/729.pdf|access-date=28 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803190736/http://fader.aec.gov.au/return/12246/FAD03/729.pdf|archive-date=3 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> While the Liberal primary vote eventually fell by 10.3% to a total 41.8%, King received only 18% of the primary vote with a 57%/43% Liberal/Labor preference split which meant Turnbull was elected, albeit on a reduced 55.5% [[Two-party-preferred vote|two-party vote]] after a 2.4% [[Swing (Australian politics)|swing]]. The result meant that Wentworth was classified as a marginal seat for the first time since the [[1993 Australian federal election|1993 federal election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.aec.gov.au/12246/results/HouseDivisionDop-12246-152.htm|title=Division Distribution of Preferences|first=Australian Electoral|last=Commission|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-date=20 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320032431/http://results.aec.gov.au/12246/results/HouseDivisionDop-12246-152.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Cabinet Minister ===
{{Main|Fourth Howard Ministry}}
Announcing a cabinet reshuffle on 24 January 2006, Prime Minister John Howard promoted Turnbull from the backbench to the role of [[parliamentary secretary]], giving him special responsibility for water at the height of the [[2000s Australian drought]].<ref name="Jenentt, Greg-2015">{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/malcolm-turnbull-political-career-leadership-spill/6078656 | title=Malcolm Turnbull: From international case-winning barrister to struggling opposition leader, 'Mr Broadband' | publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] | date=14 September 2015 | access-date=14 September 2015 | author=Jenentt, Greg | newspaper=ABC News | archive-date=14 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914225649/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/malcolm-turnbull-political-career-leadership-spill/6078656 | url-status=live }}</ref> On 26 September 2006, Howard announced the creation of a new Office of Water Resources, sitting within the [[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)|Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet]],<ref name="Turnbull aph">{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=884 |name=Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP |access-date=2021-11-07}}</ref> to address the problem of drought in Australia; Turnbull was given responsibility for this office.

In January 2007, Howard promoted Turnbull to the [[Cabinet of Australia|Cabinet]] as [[Minister of the Environment (Australia)|Minister for the Environment and Water]]. In this position, Turnbull approved a proposed {{AUD}}1.7&nbsp;billion [[Bell Bay Pulp Mill]] in north [[Tasmania]], near [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]].<ref name="Harrison-2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/green-light-for-pulp-mill/2007/10/04/1191091238327.html|title=Turnbull approves Tasmanian pulp mill|work=[[The Age]]|date=4 October 2007|access-date=19 November 2007|location=Melbourne|first=Dan|last=Harrison|archive-date=12 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012220259/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/green-light-for-pulp-mill/2007/10/04/1191091238327.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull's approval of the Bell Bay Pulp Mill project of [[Gunns]] came on 4 October 2007 and followed a report by the government's chief scientist [[Jim Peacock]] on the project's potential environmental impact, which required the project to meet 48 "strict environmental" conditions.

In February 2007, Turnbull was criticised for claiming a government allowance of {{AUD}}175 a night and paying it to his wife as rent while living in a townhouse owned by her in Canberra.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turnbull defends using travel allowance to pay rent at wife's house |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |date=25 February 2007 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1856270.htm |access-date=28 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207003742/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1856270.htm |archive-date=7 December 2007 }}</ref>

During the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]] campaign, Turnbull announced that if re-elected the government would contribute {{AUD}}10&nbsp;million to the investigation of an untried Russian technology that aims to trigger rainfall from the atmosphere, even when there are no clouds. The Australian Rain Corporation presented research documents written in Russian, explained by a Russian researcher who spoke to local experts in Russian.<ref name="rainmaking gamble">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/20/2095678.htm|title=Turnbull pumps $10m into rainmaking gamble|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=20 November 2007|access-date=21 November 2007|archive-date=20 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120171049/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/20/2095678.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Turnbull claimed that the Australian Rain Corporation was Australian-based, investigations revealed that it was 75% Swiss-owned. It was also revealed that a prominent stakeholder in the Australian Rain Corporation, Matt Handbury, is a nephew of [[Rupert Murdoch]]. Turnbull refused to answer questions regarding Handbury's contribution to the Wentworth Forum, the main fund-raising organisation for Turnbull's 2007 election campaign.<ref name="rainmaking gamble" />

== Opposition ==
===Aftermath of 2007 election===
Turnbull retained his seat at the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]] with a [[two-party-preferred vote|two-party vote]] 1.3% [[swing (Australian politics)|swing]] in Wentworth, despite a 5.6% swing away from the Coalition in the state, and a 5.4% swing against them nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/Website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-152.htm|title=House of Representatives Division First Preferences|publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]|date=18 December 2007|access-date=13 June 2010|archive-date=9 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809162938/http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-152.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/Website/HouseTppByState-13745.htm|title=Two Part Preferred by State|publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]|access-date=27 April 2010|archive-date=26 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726162407/http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/Website/HouseTppByState-13745.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> After John Howard lost his seat of [[Division of Bennelong|Bennelong]], on 25 November 2007 [[Peter Costello]], who Howard stated publicly should succeed him, announced he would not seek the party leadership. Turnbull declared his candidacy later that same day, and was considered by the media as a favourite.<ref>{{cite news|title=Media gather at Turnbull's residence|work=[[The Age]]|date=25 November 2007|access-date=25 November 2007|location=Melbourne|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Media-gather-at-Turnbulls-residence/2007/11/25/1195947546091.html|archive-date=27 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127123948/http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Media-gather-at-Turnbulls-residence/2007/11/25/1195947546091.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 November he [[2007 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election|narrowly lost]] the leadership vote to [[Brendan Nelson]] by three votes; Nelson quickly appointed Turnbull [[Shadow Cabinet|Shadow Treasurer]].<ref name=Nelson>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/nelson-new-libs-leader/2007/11/29/1196037040062.html|title=Nelson wins Lib leadership|work=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne|date=29 November 2007|access-date=29 November 2007|archive-date=1 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201184332/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/nelson-new-libs-leader/2007/11/29/1196037040062.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after the vote, fellow Shadow Cabinet Minister [[Nick Minchin]] publicly suggested that Turnbull's failure to consult with party colleagues before declaring his opinion to the media on issues such as an apology to the [[Stolen Generations]] was what had cost him the leadership.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/08/2157573.htm|title=Turnbull criticises Minchin for gibe|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=8 February 2008|access-date=27 April 2010|archive-date=16 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216121406/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/08/2157573.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> This led to a disagreement between the two and culminated in Minchin privately telling Turnbull that he was "too fucking sensitive."<ref>{{cite news|author=Maiden, Samantha|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23180714-5013871,00.html|title=Minchin used f-word in Turnbull stoush|work=[[The Australian]]|date=8 February 2008|access-date=27 April 2010|archive-date=16 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216121844/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23180714-5013871,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2008, Turnbull led the Coalition response to the [[2008 Australian federal budget]], criticising the increased taxes on luxury cars and certain alcoholic drinks, citing a possible increase in inflation as a concern.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turnbull accuses Swan of 'voodoo economics'|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|access-date=14 May 2008|date=14 May 2008|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/14/2244944.htm?section=justin|archive-date=17 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517125020/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/14/2244944.htm?section=justin|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Leader of the Opposition (2008–2009)===
[[File:Centralcoastpresser.jpg|thumb|right|Turnbull with Deputy Leader [[Julie Bishop]] (right) and [[Helen Coonan]] (left) in July 2009]]
After months of consistently poor opinion polling, Turnbull [[2008 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill|challenged]] [[Brendan Nelson]] for the leadership on 16 September 2008. He won the ballot by four votes and became [[List of Australian Leaders of the Opposition|Leader of the Opposition]]. Later that month, Turnbull confessed that he had smoked [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] in his younger days, becoming the first Liberal Leader to make such an admission.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/turnbull-mulls-a-misspent-youth/2008/09/26/1222217438603.html|title=Turnbull mulls a misspent youth|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=26 September 2008|access-date=22 January 2013|archive-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219165059/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/turnbull-mulls-a-misspent-youth/2008/09/26/1222217438603.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2009, Turnbull appointed [[Chris Kenny]], a former staffer to [[Alexander Downer]] and an ''[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|Advertiser]]'' journalist, as his chief of staff.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-appoints-new-right-hand-man-20090107-7bxb.html|title=Turnbull appoints new right-hand man|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=7 January 2009|access-date=17 September 2015|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018052713/http://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-appoints-new-right-hand-man-20090107-7bxb.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2009, Turnbull attacked the [[2009 Australian federal budget]] which came amidst the fallout from the [[Financial crisis of 2007–2008|global financial crisis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://business.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/turnbull-responds-to-budget-20090514-b4ni.html|title=Turnbull responds to budget|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=15 May 2009|access-date=27 April 2010|archive-date=17 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517013405/http://business.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/turnbull-responds-to-budget-20090514-b4ni.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2009, Godwin Grech, a [[Department of the Treasury (Australia)|Treasury]] civil servant, privately contacted Turnbull, alleging that a car dealer with links to the Labor Party had received preferential treatment under the OzCar program, sparking the '[[Utegate|OzCar affair]]'. Turnbull later repeated these allegations in Parliament, stating that Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] and [[Treasurer of Australia|Treasurer]] [[Wayne Swan]] had "used their offices and taxpayers' resources to seek advantage for one of their mates and then lied about it to the Parliament" and that they needed to "either explain their actions or resign".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2603723.htm|title=PM refers OzCar allegations to inquiry|date=20 June 2009|work=[[AM (Australian radio series)|AM]]|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=25 November 2009|archive-date=8 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208073157/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2603723.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> On 22 June, the email Grech had secretly provided to Turnbull supporting allegation was alleged to have been faked by Grech. Grech subsequently admitted the forgery, with an [[Australian National Audit Office]] inquiry on 4 August clearing both Rudd and Swan of any wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/grech-wrote-fake-email-20090804-e7fm.html|title=Grech 'wrote fake email'|date=4 August 2009|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=25 November 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=14 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214022421/http://www.theage.com.au/national/grech-wrote-fake-email-20090804-e7fm.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Saulwick-2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/rudd-swan-cleared-over-ozcar-scandal-20090804-e7tk.html|title=Rudd, Swan cleared over OzCar scandal|last=Saulwick|first=Jacob|date=4 August 2009|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=25 November 2009|archive-date=9 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009021427/http://www.smh.com.au/national/rudd-swan-cleared-over-ozcar-scandal-20090804-e7tk.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The resulting embarrassment of having repeated false allegations, as well as Turnbull's demeanour throughout the OzCar affair, was judged as the cause of a subsequent significant decline in his approval ratings in opinion polls.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-hammered-by-voters-20090628-d1at.html|title=Malcolm Turnbull and Utegate &#124; Liberal Party|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=29 June 2009|access-date=27 April 2010|first=Phillip|last=Coorey|archive-date=12 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012202340/http://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-hammered-by-voters-20090628-d1at.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24 November 2009, Liberal and National MPs and [[Australian Senate|Senators]] met to discuss the Rudd government's proposed [[Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme]] (CPRS). Turnbull announced that his policy would be to support the CPRS, despite significant disagreement among his colleagues.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/malccolm-turnbull-sharpens-the-knife/story-e6frgczf-1225803954519 |title=Malcolm Turnbull sharpens the knife|work=[[The Australian]]|date=26 November 2009|access-date=27 April 2010|first=Matthew|last=Franklin}}</ref> In response, Liberal MPs [[Wilson Tuckey]] and [[Dennis Jensen]] looked to move a leadership spill motion, intending to nominate [[Kevin Andrews (politician)|Kevin Andrews]] as a challenger to Turnbull.<ref name="Coorey-2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/three-quit-as-turnbull-survives-20091125-jp30.html?autostart=1|title=Three quit as Turnbull survives|last=Coorey|first=Phillip|date=25 November 2009|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=25 November 2009|archive-date=25 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125185047/http://www.smh.com.au/national/three-quit-as-turnbull-survives-20091125-jp30.html?autostart=1|url-status=live}}</ref> While this attempt failed, increasing numbers of MPs and Senators publicly criticised the position, with several resigning from the Shadow Cabinet, including [[Tony Abbott]].<ref name="Rodgers, Emma-2009">{{cite news|author=Rodgers, Emma|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754654.htm|title=Senior Liberals desert Turnbull|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=26 November 2009|access-date=27 April 2010|archive-date=1 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201110222/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754654.htm?|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 December 2009, just one week after Turnbull announced the policy on the CPRS, Abbott announced he would [[2009 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill|challenge]] Turnbull for the leadership. Though initially regarded as having little chance of success, with Turnbull stating in public that Abbott did not have the numbers to win, Abbott defeated Turnbull in the ballot by a single vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/01/2758221.htm|title=Shock win for Abbott in leadership vote|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=1 December 2009|access-date=30 November 2009|archive-date=24 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124065002/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/01/2758221.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> After the shock result, Turnbull returned to the backbench and said he would serve out the remainder of his term as Member for Wentworth.<ref>Nine Morning News, 1 December 2009.</ref> On 6 April 2010, he announced he would not seek re-election to the Australian Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/malcolm-turnbull-to-leave-politics-at-next-election/story-e6freon6-1225850286921|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|title=Malcolm Turnbull to leave politics at next election|author=Balogh, Stefanie|date=6 April 2010|access-date=27 April 2010|archive-date=27 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327001743/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/malcolm-turnbull-to-leave-politics-at-next-election/story-e6freon6-1225850286921|url-status=live}}</ref> However, on 1 May 2010 he reversed this decision saying that he had been convinced by former prime minister John Howard to not give up his political career.<ref name=reversal>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/turnbull-reverses-decision-to-quit-20100501-tzqq.html|title=Turnbull reverses decision to quit|work=[[The Age]]|date=1 May 2010|access-date=1 May 2010|location=Melbourne|archive-date=2 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502135928/http://www.theage.com.au/national/turnbull-reverses-decision-to-quit-20100501-tzqq.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=tguard />

=== Shadow Minister (2010–2013) ===
At the [[2010 Australian federal election|2010 federal election]], Turnbull was re-elected with an 11.01% [[two-party-preferred vote|two-party]] [[swing (Australian politics)|swing]] towards him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-15508-152.htm|title=House of Representatives Division First Preferences|publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]|date=15 September 2010|access-date=20 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905085133/http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-15508-152.htm|archive-date=5 September 2010}}</ref> After discussing the possibility of a return to the Shadow Cabinet with Tony Abbott, Turnbull was made [[Minister for Communications (Australia)|Shadow Minister for Communications]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-promotes-malcolm-turnbull-in-new-shadow-ministry/story-e6frf7l6-1225922656775|work=[[Herald Sun]]|title=Tony Abbott promotes Malcolm Turnbull in new shadow ministry|author=Hudson, Phillip|date=14 September 2010|access-date=20 September 2010|archive-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615023627/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-promotes-malcolm-turnbull-in-new-shadow-ministry/story-e6frf7l6-1225922656775|url-status=live}}</ref> In his first policy announcement in the role, Turnbull stated that a Coalition government would "demolish" the recently introduced [[National Broadband Network]].<ref>{{Cite news |author-first=Emma |author-last=Rodgers |date=2010-09-14 |title=Abbott orders Turnbull to demolish NBN |language=en-AU |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-14/abbott-orders-turnbull-to-demolish-nbn/2260320 |access-date=2023-01-01 |archive-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101215728/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-14/abbott-orders-turnbull-to-demolish-nbn/2260320 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-14 |title=Turnbull back to 'demolish' NBN |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-back-to-demolish-nbn-20100914-15aj3.html |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101215718/https://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-back-to-demolish-nbn-20100914-15aj3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Delivering the 2012 Alfred Deakin Lecture on digital liberty, he spoke out strongly against the Gillard government's proposed two-year data retention law.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/turnbull-has-grave-misgivings-about-data-retention-proposal/|title=Turnbull has grave misgivings about data retention proposal|work=[[ZDNet]]|date=8 October 2012|author=Taylor, Josh|access-date=10 October 2012|archive-date=11 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011232921/http://www.zdnet.com/au/turnbull-has-grave-misgivings-about-data-retention-proposal-7000005415/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite speech|title=Free at last or freedom lost? Liberty in the digital age|author=Turnbull, Malcolm|date=October 2012|url=http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/speeches/free-at-last-or-freedom-lost-liberty-in-the-digital-age-2012-alfred-deakin-lecture|event=2012 Alfred Deakin Lecture|publisher=Malcolm Turnbull|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125084110/http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/speeches/free-at-last-or-freedom-lost-liberty-in-the-digital-age-2012-alfred-deakin-lecture/|archive-date=25 November 2012|url-status=dead}}{{self-published-inline|date=December 2014}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2014}} In July 2012, Turnbull was criticised by some Liberal MPs for saying that civil unions should be introduced as a first step towards establishing [[same-sex marriage in Australia]]. Tony Abbott rejected Turnbull's suggestion of holding a conscience vote on the issue.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/turnbull-under-fire-for-gay-marriage-stance-20120707-21ngx.html|work=[[The Age]]|title=Turnbull under fire for gay marriage stance|author=Peatling, Stephanie|date=7 July 2012|access-date=30 September 2013|location=Melbourne|archive-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116001906/http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/turnbull-under-fire-for-gay-marriage-stance-20120707-21ngx.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Abbott government==
===Minister for Communications (2013–2015)===
[[File:MalcolmTurnbull.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Turnbull at the 2014 [[International Telecommunication Union]] Conference in South Korea]]
On 9 April 2013, Turnbull and Tony Abbott presented their party's alternative [[National Broadband Network]] (NBN) plan.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/all-that-glitters--abbott-and-mr-broadband-hawk-the-copper-option-20130409-2hj57.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=All that glitters … Abbott and 'Mr Broadband' hawk the copper option | access-date=9 April 2013 | archive-date=10 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410205549/http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/all-that-glitters--abbott-and-mr-broadband-hawk-the-copper-option-20130409-2hj57.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The plan prioritised a modified and scaled-down NBN with "[[fiber to the x|fibre to the node]]" (FTTN) and [[Last mile (telecommunications)|last-mile]] by [[copper conductor|copper cable]].<ref name="Kohler, Alan-2013">{{cite news|author=Kohler, Alan|author-link=Alan Kohler|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-10/kohler-how-malcolm-turnbull-saved-the-nbn/4619868|title=How Malcolm Turnbull saved the NBN|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=10 April 2013|access-date=10 April 2013|archive-date=10 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410032424/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-10/kohler-how-malcolm-turnbull-saved-the-nbn/4619868|url-status=live}}</ref> The new policy contrasted with the previous position which had called for the dismantling of the entire NBN.<ref name="Kohler, Alan-2013" />

After the Coalition victory in the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]], Turnbull was appointed [[Minister for Communications (Australia)|Minister for Communications]] and began implementing the alternative NBN strategy. In 2014, Turnbull announced that the Vertigan Report, a [[cost–benefit analysis]] of providing fast broadband to regional and rural Australia through wireless and satellite services, revealed that continuing the plan would cost nearly {{AUD}}5&nbsp;billion and was expected to produce only {{AUD}}600&nbsp;million in economic benefits – a return of just 10%. In spite of the economic cost, Turnbull stated that whilst subsidising broadband to regional areas is "fiendishly expensive", there was no other option.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-nbn-plan-wont-change-despite-massive-cost-for-rural-coverage-20140827-108xja.html|title=Malcolm Turnbull: NBN plan won't change despite massive cost for rural coverage|author1=Knott, Matthew|author2=Timson, Lia|date=27 August 2014|access-date=24 December 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-date=30 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830040603/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-nbn-plan-wont-change-despite-massive-cost-for-rural-coverage-20140827-108xja.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2014, Turnbull brokered a deal between the Australian government, [[NBN Co]] and [[Telstra]] whereby NBN Co acquired Telstra's copper network and hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC) to deliver the NBN. Telstra and NBN Co agreed to work together on the FTTN trial involving 200,000 premises.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/malcolm-turnbull-to-make-nbn-better-faster-stronger-20141215-127m2z.html|title=Malcolm Turnbull to make NBN better, faster, stronger|author1-last=Ferguson|author1-first=Adele|author-link=Adele Ferguson|date=15 December 2014|access-date=24 December 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215184858/http://www.smh.com.au/business/malcolm-turnbull-to-make-nbn-better-faster-stronger-20141215-127m2z.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2015, Turnbull revealed that the overall end cost of the network build would likely expand up to an additional $15&nbsp;billion, with NBN Co likely to take on the additional expenditure as debt. Though still cheaper than the original Labor Party NBN policy, which aimed to deliver much faster connection speeds, the peak funding requirement under the Liberal model ran to between $46&nbsp;billion and $56&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-24/nbn-cost-blows-out-by-up-to-15-billion-dollars/6720878|title=NBN cost blows out by up to $15b; Malcolm Turnbull says final cost could be up to $56b|newspaper=ABC News|date=24 August 2015|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=27 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927143103/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-24/nbn-cost-blows-out-by-up-to-15-billion-dollars/6720878|url-status=live}}</ref>

===February 2015 leadership spill motion===
{{main|February 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill motion}}
Following persistent leadership tensions amidst poor opinion polling, a [[February 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill motion|leadership spill motion]] was moved against Tony Abbott on 9 February 2015. Although the spill motion was defeated 61 votes to 39, Turnbull had been reported as considering a run for the leadership if the spill motion had succeeded. Before the motion Turnbull had told reporters that "if, for whatever reason, the leadership of a political party is vacant then anyone, any member of the party can stand, whether they be a minister or a backbencher, without any disloyalty to the person whose leadership has been declared vacant."<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/tony-abbott-keeps-liberal-leadership-failed-spill-motion/6079006 ABC News 9 February 2015.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920144042/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/tony-abbott-keeps-liberal-leadership-failed-spill-motion/6079006? |date=20 September 2015 }} Accessed 9 February 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/liberal-leadership-spill3a-as-it-happened/6079418 | title=Liberal leadership spill: as it happened | publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] | date=9 February 2015 | access-date=14 September 2015 | author=Leslie, Tim | archive-date=21 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921014057/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/liberal-leadership-spill3a-as-it-happened/6079418 | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Prime Minister of Australia (2015–2018)==
{{main|Turnbull government}}
{{see also|First Turnbull Ministry|Second Turnbull Ministry}}
{{Infobox administration
| image = Malcolm Turnbull APEC 2016.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = 
| name = Premiership of Malcolm Turnbull
| term_start = 15 September 2015
| term_end = 24 August 2018
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]
| premier = Malcolm Turnbull
| premier_link = Prime Minister of Australia
| cabinet = [[First Turnbull Ministry]]<br/>[[Second Turnbull Ministry]]
| party = [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]]
| election = 2016
| appointer = [[Peter Cosgrove|Sir Peter Cosgrove]]
| nominator = 
| seat = [[The Lodge (Australia)|The Lodge]] (Canberra)<br/>[[Kirribilli House]] (Sydney)
| predecessor = [[Tony Abbott#Prime Minister (2013–2015)|Tony Abbott]]
| successor = [[Scott Morrison#Prime Minister of Australia (2018–present)|Scott Morrison]]
| seal = File:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
| seal_size = 
| seal_caption = [[Coat of arms of Australia]]
| official_url = https://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au 
}}
===September 2015 leadership election===
{{main|September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill}}
[[File:Malcolm Turnbull swearing-in ceremony September 2015.jpg|thumb|left|Turnbull sworn in as [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] by [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] Sir [[Peter Cosgrove]]]]
Despite the defeat of the February 2015 spill motion, questions over Abbott's leadership did not abate, with the government consistently performing poorly in opinion polls. On 14 September 2015, after 30 consecutive Newspolls had put the Liberals far behind Labor, Turnbull resigned from the Cabinet and announced he would challenge Abbott for the leadership of the Liberal Party.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/turnbull-requests-liberal-leadership-ballot/6774506|title=Liberal leadership: Tony Abbott confident he will beat Malcolm Turnbull in ballot|work=ABC News|date=14 September 2015|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914063622/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/turnbull-requests-liberal-leadership-ballot/6774506|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull stated that Abbott "was not&nbsp;capable of providing&nbsp;the economic leadership we need" and that the Liberal Party needs a "style of&nbsp;leadership that respects the&nbsp;people's intelligence."<ref>{{cite news|title = Turnbull and Bishop request Liberal Party leadership ballot|url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/turnbull-requests-liberal-leadership-ballot/6774506|website = ABC News|date = 14 September 2015|access-date = 14 September 2015|archive-date = 14 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150914063622/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/turnbull-requests-liberal-leadership-ballot/6774506|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Turnbull demands leadership spill|date = 13 September 2015|url = http://www.afr.com/news/politics/liberal-leadership-malcolm-turnbull-julie-bishop-demand-leadership-spill-20150913-gjlr4t|access-date = 14 September 2015|archive-date = 16 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150916172237/http://www.afr.com/news/politics/liberal-leadership-malcolm-turnbull-julie-bishop-demand-leadership-spill-20150913-gjlr4t?|url-status = live}}</ref> Turnbull defeated Abbott by 54 votes to 44 at the [[September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill|subsequent leadership ballot]].<ref>Pamela Wilson, "How to stage a coup", ''The Australian'', 20 October 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/malcolm-turnbull-wins-liberal-leadership-ballot-over-tony-abbott/6775464|title=Liberal leadership spill: Malcolm Turnbull to become prime minister after toppling Tony Abbott|work=ABC News|date=14 September 2015|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915031540/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/malcolm-turnbull-wins-liberal-leadership-ballot-over-tony-abbott/6775464|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sworn in as the 29th [[prime minister of Australia]] the following day.<ref name="swornin">{{cite news|title=Malcolm Turnbull sworn in as Australia's 29th Prime Minister|newspaper=ABC News|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/malcolm-turbull-sworn-in-as-new-prime-minister/6777416|access-date=15 September 2015|date=15 September 2015|archive-date=20 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220054953/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/malcolm-turnbull-keeps-same-sex-marriage-climate-change-policies/6777416|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TakingOffice">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/newly-elected-liberal-leader-malcolm-turnbull-to-be-sworn-in/6775962|title=Malcolm Turnbull to be sworn in as PM after ousting Tony Abbott as Liberal leader|author=Dan Conifer and James Glenday|newspaper=ABC News|date=15 September 2015|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915044320/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/newly-elected-liberal-leader-malcolm-turnbull-to-be-sworn-in/6775962|url-status=live}}</ref>

Turnbull announced an extensive reshuffle of the Cabinet on 20 September 2015 to form the [[first Turnbull ministry]]. Notably, he increased the number of female Cabinet ministers from two to five and appointed [[Marise Payne]] as Australia's first female [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]]. The number of Cabinet ministers rose from 19 to 21. On Turnbull's key policy differences with Abbott, particularly [[Climate change in Australia|climate change]], republicanism and [[same-sex marriage in Australia|same-sex marriage]], he stated that there would be no immediate change before any election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Condie |first=Stuart |url=http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/why-malcolm-turnbull-will-end-up-disappointing-many-voters/story-fn5tas5k-1227529581264 |title=Why Malcolm Turnbull will end up disappointing many voters: News.com.au 16 September 2015 |publisher=[[News.com.au]] |date=16 September 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=13 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113164255/http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/why-malcolm-turnbull-will-end-up-disappointing-many-voters/story-fn5tas5k-1227529581264 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[National Party of Australia|Nationals]] successfully negotiated a total of $4&nbsp;billion worth of deals from Turnbull, as well as control of the water portfolio, in exchange for a continued [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] agreement.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lenore Taylor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/16/turnbulls-so-called-4bn-bribe-to-nationals-more-wishes-than-fulfilment |title=Turnbull's so-called $4bn bribe to Nationals more wishes than fulfilment: The Guardian 16 September 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian Australia |date=16 September 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114180055/http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/16/turnbulls-so-called-4bn-bribe-to-nationals-more-wishes-than-fulfilment |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/malcolm-turnbulls-4-billion-deal-with-the-nationals-to-guarantee-coalition-unity/story-fni0cx12-1227529393979 "Malcolm Turnbull's $4 billion deal with the Nationals to guarantee Coalition unity"], ''Daily Telegraph'', 15 September 2015.</ref> Turnbull stated that he would not lead a government that did not take climate change seriously.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hunt goes in energy-environment merger, climate denier to head resources|work=Renew Economy.com.au|date=18 July 2016|access-date=18 July 2016|url=http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/hunt-goes-in-energy-environment-merger-climate-denier-to-head-resources-58202|archive-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719131517/http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/hunt-goes-in-energy-environment-merger-climate-denier-to-head-resources-58202|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2016 federal election ===
{{main|2016 Australian federal election}}
[[File:Malcolm Turnbull visits Peter Cosgrove to request double dissolution.jpg|thumb|left|Turnbull visits Peter Cosgrove to request both Houses of Parliament be dissolved ahead of a double dissolution election.]]
On 21 March 2016, Turnbull announced that Parliament would consider bills to reinstate the [[Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner|Australian Building and Construction Commission]] (ABCC), with the bills having previously been rejected twice before. Turnbull stated if the Senate rejected the bills a third time, he would advise the governor-general, [[Sir Peter Cosgrove]], to call a [[double dissolution]] of Parliament and a federal election for 2 July. Turnbull also brought forward the delivery of the [[2016 Australian federal budget|federal budget]] from 10 to 3 May to facilitate this.<ref name="aprilrecall">{{cite news|title=Malcolm Turnbull recalls Parliament for April 18 sitting ahead of early election|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-recalls-parliament-for-april-18-sitting-ahead-of-early-election-20160320-gnmy2v.html|access-date=21 March 2016|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=21 March 2016|archive-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321173013/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-recalls-parliament-for-april-18-sitting-ahead-of-early-election-20160320-gnmy2v.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 April, the Senate once again rejected the bills to reinstate the ABCC. On 8 May, Turnbull visited [[Government House, Canberra|Government House]] to advise Cosgrove to issue the writs for a double dissolution on 9 May; this confirmed the date of the election as 2 July 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9news.com.au/National/2016/05/08/08/46/Prime-Minister-Malcolm-Turnbull-set-to-seek-double-dissolution-election|title=It's official: Malcolm Turnbull confirms Australia will go to the polls on July 2|work=Ninemsn|date=8 May 2016|access-date=5 June 2016|archive-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515013249/http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/05/08/08/46/prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-set-to-seek-double-dissolution-election|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 federal election]] campaign, a ReachTEL opinion poll of 626 [[Division of Wentworth|Wentworth]] voters conducted on 31 May predicted a [[two-party-preferred vote|two-party]] [[swing (Australian politics)|swing]] against Turnbull for the first time since his election to Wentworth, revealing a reduced 58% two-party vote from a large 10.9% two-party swing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/malcolm-turnbull-facing-10-swing-in-wentworth-as-his-popularity-plummets-20160603-gpazki.html|title=Exclusive: Malcolm Turnbull facing 10% swing in Wentworth as his popularity plummets|date=4 June 2016|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-date=27 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627115135/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/malcolm-turnbull-facing-10-swing-in-wentworth-as-his-popularity-plummets-20160603-gpazki.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A controversy occurred during the election campaign, when the president of the [[Australian National Imams Council]], Sheikh [[Shady Alsuleiman]] participated in an [[Iftar]] dinner hosted by Turnbull at [[Kirribilli House]]. Turnbull said he would not have invited Alsuleiman if he had known of his position regarding homosexuals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-17/pm-criticises-islamic-clerics-homophobic-comments/7520884|title=Malcolm Turnbull regrets hosting homophobic Islamic cleric Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman at Kirribilli|author=Keany, Francis|date=17 June 2016|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620161411/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-17/pm-criticises-islamic-clerics-homophobic-comments/7520884|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the election, the Coalition lost 14 seats and retained majority government by a single seat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-10/election-2016-malcolm-turnbull-claims-election-victory/7584400|title='It's vital this parliament works': Turnbull claims election win|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=10 July 2016|access-date=20 July 2016|archive-date=10 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710102231/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-10/election-2016-malcolm-turnbull-claims-election-victory/7584400|url-status=live}}</ref> The result was the closest since the [[1961 Australian federal election|1961 federal election]]. In the days following the election, when the result was still not certain, Turnbull had to negotiate with the [[crossbencher|crossbench]] to secure [[confidence and supply]] support from [[Bob Katter]], [[Andrew Wilkie]] and [[Cathy McGowan (politician)|Cathy McGowan]] in the event of a [[hung parliament]] and resulting [[minority government]].<ref name="Massola-2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/election-results-bill-shorten-predicts-second-poll-as-cathy-mcgowan-offers-coaltion-support-20160708-gq1f9m.html|title='Back within the year': Bill Shorten predicts second election|first=James|last=Massola|date=8 July 2016|access-date=11 September 2016|archive-date=12 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712193224/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/election-results-bill-shorten-predicts-second-poll-as-cathy-mcgowan-offers-coaltion-support-20160708-gq1f9m.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2017, Turnbull confirmed he had donated $1.75&nbsp;million to the Liberal Party's election campaign.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-01/turnbull-admits-donating-1.75-million-to-election-campaign/8233244 Turnbull admits donating $1.75 million to election campaign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201233201/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-01/turnbull-admits-donating-1.75-million-to-election-campaign/8233244 |date=1 February 2017 }} ''ABC News'' 1 February 2017</ref>

===Asylum seeker policy===
{{see also|Abbott government#Asylum seekers|Gillard government#Asylum seekers}}
[[File:Donald Trump and Malcolm Turnbull 2017.jpg|thumb|Turnbull and U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] in New York City, May 2017]]
[[Asylum in Australia|Asylum seeker policy]] is a contentious [[wedge issue]] in Australian politics, especially since the [[Tampa affair]]. Continuing the bipartisan stance of [[Operation Sovereign Borders]] has been at the forefront the Coalition's [[asylum seeker]] policy. Around 1,250 asylum seekers remain in the offshore processing centres on [[Manus Island]] and [[Nauru]]. In August 2016, protestors called for the closure of camps on Manus and Nauru<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/27/nauru-files-manus-island-close-the-camps-rallies-asylum-seeker|title=Thousands call for Nauru and Manus camps to close in rallies across Australia|first=Helen|last=Davidson|date=27 August 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202191619/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/27/nauru-files-manus-island-close-the-camps-rallies-asylum-seeker|url-status=live}}</ref> after ''[[The Guardian]]'' released leaked incident reports alleging "routine dysfunction and cruelty" on Nauru.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/10/the-nauru-files-2000-leaked-reports-reveal-scale-of-abuse-of-children-in-australian-offshore-detention|title=The Nauru files: cache of 2,000 leaked reports reveal scale of abuse of children in Australian offshore detention|first1=Paul|last1=Farrell|first2=Nick|last2=Evershed|first3=Helen|last3=Davidson|date=10 August 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202191459/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/10/the-nauru-files-2000-leaked-reports-reveal-scale-of-abuse-of-children-in-australian-offshore-detention|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2016, the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]] set up a refugee centre in [[Costa Rica]] in response to a Central American [[2014 American immigration crisis|migration crisis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/26/central-american-refugees-costa-rica-obama-administration|title=US partners with Costa Rica to protect Central American refugees|first=Amanda|last=Holpuch|date=26 July 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807232235/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/26/central-american-refugees-costa-rica-obama-administration|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/northern-triangle-of-death-australiabound-refugees-fleeing-a-brutal-gang-conflict-20160921-grl9x3.html|title='Northern Triangle' of death: Australia-bound refugees fleeing a brutal gang conflict|author=David Wroe|date=21 September 2016|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913194521/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/northern-triangle-of-death-australiabound-refugees-fleeing-a-brutal-gang-conflict-20160921-grl9x3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In November, Turnbull and [[Peter Dutton]] announced that Australia would accept 1,250 refugees from Central America, in exchange for the U.S. accepting refugees on Nauru and Manus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-agrees-to-resettle-some-refugees-in-pacific-island-camps/3593927.html|title=Some Refugees Held in Australian Island Camps to Be Resettled in US|date=12 November 2016|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=18 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618035909/https://www.voanews.com/a/us-agrees-to-resettle-some-refugees-in-pacific-island-camps/3593927.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-13/australia-announces-refugee-resettlement-deal-with-us/8021120|title=PM unveils 'one-off' refugee resettlement deal with US|newspaper=ABC News|date=13 November 2016|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=3 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203160813/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-13/australia-announces-refugee-resettlement-deal-with-us/8021120|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/manus-nauru-resettlement-deal-labor-asks-why-its-taken-so-long/news-story/eba0f9607e3e258527f0acdc8b8fef1d|title=Manus and Nauru resettlement deal - Labor asks why it has taken so long}}</ref>

Turnbull and President [[Donald Trump]] held a phone conversation on 28 January 2017, the transcript of which was later leaked to ''[[The Washington Post]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/politics/australia-mexico-transcripts/|title='This deal will make me look terrible': Full transcripts of Trump's calls with Mexico and Australia|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110181337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/politics/australia-mexico-transcripts/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 February 2017, Trump tweeted that Obama's deal was "dumb".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-gday-mate-on-call-with-australian-pm-trump-badgers-and-brags/2017/02/01/88a3bfb0-e8bf-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html|title='This was the worst call by far': Trump badgered, bragged and abruptly ended phone call with Australian leader|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=13 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413190101/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-gday-mate-on-call-with-australian-pm-trump-badgers-and-brags/2017/02/01/88a3bfb0-e8bf-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-02/trump-slams-dumb-refugee-deal/8235820|title=Trump slams "dumb deal" to take Australia's "illegal" refugees|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=2 February 2017|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=3 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203083600/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-02/trump-slams-dumb-refugee-deal/8235820|url-status=live}}</ref> US Vice President [[Mike Pence]] later confirmed that the United States would honour the deal, subject to "extreme vetting" of asylum seekers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/refugee-swap-still-on-but-some-will-miss-out/news-story/9e944157f819e4c20efc4108c28ddc03|title=Refugee swap still on, but some will miss out|date=30 April 2017}}</ref> Australia began receiving Central American asylum seekers in July 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-australia-refugees-idUSKBN1AA0NO|title=Exclusive: Australia to accept first Central American refugees under U.S. deal – sources|date=25 July 2017|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Packham|first1=Colin|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904013401/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-australia-refugees-idUSKBN1AA0NO|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Energy policy===
Since the 2016 election, the Turnbull government had followed prior Coalition government energy policies. This involved the wholesale dismissal of [[mandatory renewable energy target|renewable energy targets]] and [[emissions trading|emissions intensity schemes]]. This had only hardened when [[South Australia]] faced large blackouts, which Turnbull had blamed on the state's "ambitious" renewable energy target.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/blame-game-over-rolling-blackouts-as-south-australia-promised-dramatic-overhaul-of-energy-grid/news-story/6f659cfefcead66d2599f3449f1cb2d6|title=Blame game over rolling blackouts|date=10 February 2017|publisher=The Advertiser|access-date=20 March 2017|archive-date=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212223036/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/blame-game-over-rolling-blackouts-as-south-australia-promised-dramatic-overhaul-of-energy-grid/news-story/6f659cfefcead66d2599f3449f1cb2d6?|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to the gas and energy crisis that occurred in March 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/the-great-gas-robbery/8363798|title=The great gas robbery|date=17 March 2017|publisher=ABC News|access-date=20 March 2017|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320004500/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/the-great-gas-robbery/8363798?|url-status=live}}</ref> Malcolm Turnbull announced a 50% increase in the capacity of [[Snowy Hydro]] through "pumped hydro" technology.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.afr.com/news/politics/federal-government-to-pour-2bn-into-major-snowy-hydro-expansion-20170315-guyo3r|title= Federal Government to pour 2 billion into major Snowy Hydro expansion|date= 15 March 2017|newspaper= Australian Financial Review|access-date= 20 March 2017|archive-date= 20 March 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170320144145/http://www.afr.com/news/politics/federal-government-to-pour-2bn-into-major-snowy-hydro-expansion-20170315-guyo3r|url-status= live}}</ref>

In April 2017, Turnbull announced that he would use the Commonwealth government's powers to place export restrictions on the nation's [[liquefied natural gas|liquified natural gas]] ("LNG") industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-27/government-to-restrict-gas-exports-to-shore-up-domestic-supply/8474432|title=Government to restrict gas exports to shore up domestic supply|date=27 April 2017|publisher=ABC News|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430091003/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-27/government-to-restrict-gas-exports-to-shore-up-domestic-supply/8474432|url-status=live}}</ref> He announced that these changes were in response to the high wholesale gas prices that were a result of a shortage of gas in the domestic gas market, and that it was "unacceptable" that domestic prices were so high, indicating that a consequence of these restrictions would be a decrease in the wholesale gas price. The [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] gas companies and the gas industry association heavily criticised the policy, saying that it would neither increase supply nor reduce the wholesale price of gas.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/gas-industry-hits-back-at-canberras-plan-to-restrict-gas-exports/news-story/e0c1201be5e74aaab7a943fbfa9e4c28|title=Gas Industry hits back at Canberra's plan to reduce the wholesale price of gas|date=27 April 2017|newspaper=The Australian}}</ref>
[[File:Turnbull selfie with Xi Trump Quang.jpg|thumb|Turnbull takes a selfie with [[Trần Đại Quang]], [[Donald Trump]], and [[Xi Jinping]], November 2017]]

===Same-sex marriage plebiscite===
{{see also|Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017}}
Prior to Turnbull becoming prime minister, the parliamentary Liberal Party voted to resolve the issue of same-sex marriage by putting the question to Australians voters via a [[referendum|plebiscite]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/30/tony-abbott-says-he-will-back-result-of-plebiscite-on-same-sex-marriage |title=Tony Abbott will back result of plebiscite on same-sex marriage |date=29 January 2016 |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |work=The Guardian |access-date=19 September 2021 |archive-date=19 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919045406/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/30/tony-abbott-says-he-will-back-result-of-plebiscite-on-same-sex-marriage |url-status=live }}</ref> Enabling legislation was rejected twice by the Senate,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/27/1085461876842.html |title=PM targets gays in marriage law |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=28 May 2004 |access-date=24 November 2020 |archive-date=8 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508233051/https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/27/1085461876842.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-12/high-court-decision-on-act-same-sex-marriage-laws/5152168|title=High Court throws out ACT's same-sex marriage laws|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=13 December 2013|access-date=20 January 2014|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212090159/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-12/high-court-decision-on-act-same-sex-marriage-laws/5152168|url-status=live}}</ref> and so the government decided to adopt a [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|postal plebiscite option]], which involved the [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] conducting a nationwide survey asking voters whether they would like to see a change in the definition of marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/turnbull-government-kills-samesex-marriage-conscience-vote-agrees-to-postal-plebiscite-20170807-gxqzam.html|title=Turnbull government kills same-sex marriage conscience vote, agrees to postal plebiscite|date=7 August 2017|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807153437/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/turnbull-government-kills-samesex-marriage-conscience-vote-agrees-to-postal-plebiscite-20170807-gxqzam.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sending out of ballots began on 12 September 2017, as attempts to prevent the survey through a High Court challenge failed. The survey ended 7 November 2017 and results released 15 November the same year. It returned with a total of 7,817,247 (61.6%) "Yes" responses and 4,873,987 (38.4%) "No" responses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/15/australia-says-yes-to-same-sex-marriage-in-historic-postal-survey|title=Australia says yes to same-sex marriage in historic postal survey|date=15 November 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=17 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517061852/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/15/australia-says-yes-to-same-sex-marriage-in-historic-postal-survey|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the vote, after four days of debates regarding amendments which included proposals to increase religious protections to refuse services to same-sex couples, on 7 December 2017 same-sex marriage was legalised through a parliamentary vote by the House of Representatives; Turnbull himself voted "Yes".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-29/same-sex-marriage-bill-passes-senate/9202478|title=Same-sex marriage bill passes Senate with day to spare before House of Representatives resumes|work=ABC News|date=29 November 2017|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906125519/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-29/same-sex-marriage-bill-passes-senate/9202478|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-14/same-sex-marriage-if-the-survey-says-yes-how-will-your-mp-vote/9104112?nw=0|title=Australia has said Yes, so how will your MP vote on a same-sex marriage bill in Parliament?|work=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|first=Louise|last=Yaxley|date=15 November 2017|accessdate=18 November 2017|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718113749/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-14/same-sex-marriage-if-the-survey-says-yes-how-will-your-mp-vote/9104112?nw=0|url-status=live}}</ref> The first same-sex marriages in Australia occurred as a result of the law change from 9 January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Karp|first1=Paul|title=y Marriage equality law passes Australia's parliament in landslide vote|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/07/marriage-equality-law-passes-australias-parliament-in-landslide-vote|website=The Guardian Australia|date=7 December 2017|access-date=7 December 2017|archive-date=20 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520055412/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/07/marriage-equality-law-passes-australias-parliament-in-landslide-vote|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Parliamentary eligibility crisis===
[[File:CJCS Attends Shangri-La Dialogue PB383 (34664387820).jpg|thumb|Turnbull in June 2017]]
{{see also|2017–18 Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis}}
Members of Turnbull's government were among those embroiled in the parliamentary eligibility crisis that arose in 2017, which disqualified several parliamentarians who held dual citizenship in accordance with [[Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia|subsection 44(<span class="ltr">i</span>) of the Australian Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kenny|first1=Mark|title=Citizenship fiasco deepens, threatening Malcolm Turnbull's authority|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/citizenship-fiasco-deepens-threatening-malcolm-turnbulls-authority-20171103-gze3l4.html|website=The Canberra Times|access-date=3 November 2017|date=3 November 2017|archive-date=30 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230141648/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/citizenship-fiasco-deepens-threatening-malcolm-turnbulls-authority-20171103-gze3l4.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Remeikis-2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/constitutional-crisis-leaves-turnbull-government-fighting-for-its-political-life-20170818-gxzi5c.html|last=Remeikis|first=Amy|title=Constitutional crisis leaves Turnbull government fighting for its political life|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 August 2017|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123040942/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/constitutional-crisis-leaves-turnbull-government-fighting-for-its-political-life-20170818-gxzi5c.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Three Cabinet members were among the "Citizenship Seven" whose cases were heard in the [[High Court of Australia]]: the leader and deputy leader of the [[Coalition (Australia)|co-governing]] [[National Party of Australia|National Party]], Deputy Prime Minister [[Barnaby Joyce]], Senator [[Fiona Nash]], and Resources Minister [[Matt Canavan]], who resigned from Cabinet after discovering his potential dual citizenship.<ref name="section44">{{cite news|title=Joyce admits NZ citizenship news a 'shock', expects to keep his seat|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-14/barnaby-joyce-new-zealand-citizenship-to-high-court/8803560|access-date=14 August 2017|work=ABC News|date=14 August 2017|language=en-AU|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814014207/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-14/barnaby-joyce-new-zealand-citizenship-to-high-court/8803560|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-25/matt-canavan-citizenship-crisis-resigns-from-cabinet/8742702|title=Matt Canavan resigns from Malcolm Turnbull's ministry over Italian citizenship|last=Belot|first=Henry|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=25 July 2017|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=26 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726091458/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-25/matt-canavan-citizenship-crisis-resigns-from-cabinet/8742702|url-status=live}}</ref> The High Court [[Re Canavan|ruled]] that Canavan was eligible, but disqualified dual citizens Joyce and Nash from Parliament.<ref name="high court">{{cite web|url=http://www.hcourt.gov.au/|title=High Court of Australia|work=Commonwealth of Australia|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630024830/http://www.hcourt.gov.au/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="abc 10 2017">{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-27/live-blog-high-court-delivers-judgement-on-citizenship-seven/9085032|title=Live: High Court rules Joyce ineligible to serve in Parliament|date=27 October 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=27 October 2017|language=en-AU|archive-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101054431/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-27/live-blog-high-court-delivers-judgement-on-citizenship-seven/9085032|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Peatling-2017">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/the-pulse-live/barnaby-joyce-malcolm-roberts-and-other-mps-receive-citizenship-verdict-from-high-court-20171027-gz9efa.html|last=Peatling|first=Stephanie|title=Barnaby Joyce, Malcolm Roberts and other 'citizenship seven' MPs receive verdict – live from the High Court|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=27 October 2017|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=2 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202033529/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/the-pulse-live/barnaby-joyce-malcolm-roberts-and-other-mps-receive-citizenship-verdict-from-high-court-20171027-gz9efa.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Remeikis-2017a">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/oct/27/politics-live-high-court-citizenship-joyce|title=Barnaby Joyce and four senators ruled ineligible for parliament – politics live|last=Remeikis|first=Amy|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 October 2017|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718034211/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/oct/27/politics-live-high-court-citizenship-joyce|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Turnbull government temporarily lost its one-seat majority in the House of Representatives after Joyce's disqualification and the resignation of Liberal Party MP [[John Alexander (Australian politician)|John Alexander]], who also held dual citizenship. However, in December 2017 both Joyce and Alexander, having renounced their foreign citizenships, contested and won [[List of Australian federal by-elections|by-elections]] in their former seats of [[2017 New England by-election|New England]] and [[2017 Bennelong by-election|Bennelong]] respectively, thereby retaining Turnbull's governing majority in the House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Katherine |title=Relief for Liberals as Bennelong byelection win saves Turnbull's majority |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/16/bennelong-byelection-win-john-alexander-malcolm-turnbull-kristina-keneally |website=[[The Guardian Australia]] |date=16 December 2017 |access-date=17 December 2017 |archive-date=17 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217054441/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/16/bennelong-byelection-win-john-alexander-malcolm-turnbull-kristina-keneally |url-status=live }}</ref>

===August 2018 leadership spills===
{{Main|2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills}}
[[File:Bust of Malcolm Turnbull.jpg|thumb|upright|Bronze bust of Turnbull in [[Prime Ministers Avenue]], Ballarat]]
On 21 August 2018, Turnbull survived a challenge to his leadership of the Liberal Party by Home Affairs Minister [[Peter Dutton]], winning by 48 votes to 35.<ref name="abc">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-21/politics-live-malcolm-turnbull-in-partyroom-meeting/10146280|title=Live: Turnbull sees off Dutton challenge, but leadership turmoil to continue|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=21 August 2018|access-date=21 August 2018|archive-date=10 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064841/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-21/politics-live-malcolm-turnbull-sees-off-peter-dutton-challenge/10146280|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Remeikis-2018">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/21/liberal-leadership-dutton-turnbull-energy |title=Dutton resigns after Turnbull survives Liberal leadership spill 48-35 – politics live |first1=Amy |last1=Remeikis |first2=Gareth |last2=Hutchens |first3=Katharine |last3=Murphy |first4=Christopher |last4=Knaus |date=21 August 2018 |access-date=21 August 2018 |via=www.theguardian.com |archive-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821002922/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/21/liberal-leadership-dutton-turnbull-energy |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Leadership spill|spill]] highlighted ideological tensions within the Liberal Party, between the [[Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)|moderate wing]] led by Turnbull and the conservative wing represented by Dutton and Tony Abbott. From 21 to 23 August, tensions mounted and Dutton announced that he would seek a second spill. Turnbull responded that, pending a report from the [[Solicitor-General of Australia]] on the eligibility of Dutton to serve in Parliament and the receipt of a petition calling for a party room meeting that bore the signatures of at least half (<span class="ltr">43</span>) of the parliamentary party, he would call such a meeting, vacate the leadership (regarding the petition as a vote of no confidence) and not stand in the subsequent leadership election. On the morning of 24 August, the Solicitor-General advised that Peter Dutton was "not ineligible" to serve. Later that morning, Dutton presented to Turnbull a document calling for a party room meeting that contained the minimum 43 signatures.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hit.com.au/news/national/peter-dutton-has-delivered-a-petition-to-turnbull-demanding-a-party-meeting|title=Peter Dutton Has Delivered A Petition To Turnbull Demanding A Party Meeting|date=24 August 2018|work=hit network!|access-date=24 August 2018|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824101841/https://www.hit.com.au/news/national/peter-dutton-has-delivered-a-petition-to-turnbull-demanding-a-party-meeting|url-status=live}}</ref>
A party meeting was then called and the leadership was spilled, with [[Scott Morrison]] elected as Turnbull's successor by 45 votes over Dutton with 40. In his final press conference as prime minister, Turnbull denounced Dutton and Abbott as "wreckers".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/24/liberal-spill-malcolm-turnbull-peter-dutton-scott-morrison-liberal-spill-politics-parliament-live|title=Turnbull attacks 'wreckers' Abbott and Dutton as he leaves office|work=The Guardian|date=24 August 2018|access-date=24 August 2018|archive-date=23 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823223351/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/24/liberal-spill-malcolm-turnbull-peter-dutton-scott-morrison-liberal-spill-politics-parliament-live|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 August Turnbull announced that he would resign from Parliament over the coming days. On 31 August 2018 he tendered a formal notice of resignation to the [[Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives|Speaker of the House of Representatives]].<ref name="Mizen-2018" />

==Political ideology==
Coming from the [[Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)|moderate]] faction of the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]], Turnbull has been described as being pragmatic and holding a [[Centrism|centrist]] ideology,<ref name="Johnson-2017">{{cite web |url=https://theconversation.com/turnbull-is-right-to-link-the-liberals-with-the-centre-but-is-the-centre-where-it-used-to-be-80799 |title=Turnbull is right to link the Liberals with the centre – but is the centre where it used to be? |last=Johnson |first=Carol |author-link=Carol Johnson (academic) |date=12 July 2017 |website=The Conversation |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126084816/https://theconversation.com/turnbull-is-right-to-link-the-liberals-with-the-centre-but-is-the-centre-where-it-used-to-be-80799 |url-status=live }}</ref> with [[Progressivism|progressive]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Tony |date=18 September 2015 |title=Malcolm Turnbull has difficulty with one letter |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/malcolm-turnbull-has-difficulty-with-one-letter-20150916-gjnyw4 |work=[[Australian Financial Review]] |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126084816/https://www.afr.com/politics/malcolm-turnbull-has-difficulty-with-one-letter-20150916-gjnyw4 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Social liberalism|socially liberal]] views.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Timms |first=Aaron |date=21 September 2015 |title=Malcolm Turnbull and Australia's Experiment with Political Centrism |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b14z9wy5wrwx1h/malcolm-turnbull-and-australias-experiment-with-political-centrism |magazine=[[Institutional Investor (magazine)|Institutional Investor]] |publisher=[[Euromoney Institutional Investor]] |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=12 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812145030/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b14z9wy5wrwx1h/malcolm-turnbull-and-australias-experiment-with-political-centrism |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://theconversation.com/turnbull-finds-the-sensible-centre-a-slippery-patch-80833 |title=Turnbull finds the "sensible centre" a slippery patch |last=Grattan |first=Michelle |author-link=Michelle Grattan |date=11 July 2017 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126084818/https://theconversation.com/turnbull-finds-the-sensible-centre-a-slippery-patch-80833 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Waterford |first=Jack |date=15 July 2017 |title=Malcolm Turnbull plays sensible centre half forward |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6030534/malcolm-turnbull-plays-sensible-centre-half-forward/ |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126084819/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6030534/malcolm-turnbull-plays-sensible-centre-half-forward/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An acolyte of former [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Ministers]] [[Alfred Deakin]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/free-at-last-or-freedom-lost-liberty-in-the-digital-age-2012-alfred-deakin |title=Free at last! Or freedom lost? Liberty in the digital age: 2012 Alfred Deakin Lecture |last= |first= |date=8 October 2012 |website=malcolmturnbull.com.au |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126084819/https://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/free-at-last-or-freedom-lost-liberty-in-the-digital-age-2012-alfred-deakin |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Robert Menzies]],<ref name=DisraliSpeech>{{cite web |url=https://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/policy-exchange-london-disraeli-prize-speech-in-defence-of-a-free-society |title=Disraeli Prize Speech: "In Defence of a Free Society" – London |last= |first= |date=11 July 2017 |website=malcolmturnbull.com.au |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126084821/https://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/policy-exchange-london-disraeli-prize-speech-in-defence-of-a-free-society |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Johnson-2017"/> Turnbull said in a 2017 speech: "In 1944 Menzies went to great pains not to call his new political party, consolidating the centre right of Australian politics, "conservative" – but rather the Liberal Party, which he firmly anchored in the centre of Australian politics." Later adding: "The sensible centre, to use my predecessor Tony Abbott's phrase, was the place to be and it remains the place to be now."<ref name=DisraliSpeech/> 

==Life after politics==
On 1 June 2019, Turnbull returned to the private sector as a senior advisor to major global private equity firm [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts|KKR]].<ref>{{cite news|date=31 May 2019|title=Malcolm Turnbull joins global investment firm KKR|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/31/malcolm-turnbull-joins-global-investment-firm-kkr|access-date=31 May 2019|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601042739/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/31/malcolm-turnbull-joins-global-investment-firm-kkr|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull returned to Australia in December 2019 and appeared on the final episode of ''[[Q&A (Australian talk show)|Q&<span class="ltr">A</span>]]'' hosted by Tony Jones on 9 December 2019.

Turnbull has publicly criticised the [[Morrison government]] for not taking strong enough action on climate change, arguing that they should readopt his [[National Energy Guarantee]] (NEG) policy. In a piece in ''The Guardian'', he stated that, "Scott Morrison can't afford to waste the bushfire crisis when Australia urgently needs its own [[Green New Deal]]...There are simply no more excuses. We cannot allow political prejudice and vested interests to hold us up any longer. If ever there was a crisis not to waste, it is this one. Morrison has the chance now to reinstate the NEG with higher targets. Both he and Josh Frydenberg were among its strongest supporters when I was PM. They abandoned it in the lead-up to an election, to pacify the right wing of the Coalition that sabotaged it in the first place."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Turnbull|first=Malcolm|date=11 January 2020|title=Scott Morrison can't afford to waste the bushfire crisis when Australia urgently needs its own green new deal {{!}} Malcolm Turnbull|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/12/scott-morrison-cant-afford-to-waste-the-bushfire-crisis-when-australia-urgently-needs-its-own-green-new-deal|access-date=12 January 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=12 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112000212/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/12/scott-morrison-cant-afford-to-waste-the-bushfire-crisis-when-australia-urgently-needs-its-own-green-new-deal|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 25 October 2020, Turnbull gave his support to former Australian prime minister [[Kevin Rudd]]'s petition for a "Royal Commission to ensure a strong, diverse Australian news media" with the goal of investigating [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s control over Australian news media, tweeting that he had signed it and encouraging others to follow suit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Turnbull|first=Malcolm|date=25 October 2020|title=Kevin has done well to get this petition going. I doubt it will result in a Royal Commission and Murdoch's print monopoly (since 1987) is only part of the problem. But I have signed it and encourage others to do so.|url=https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/1320139943134384129|access-date=30 October 2020|publisher=Twitter|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024230813/https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/1320139943134384129|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Wahlquist, Calla|date=25 October 2020|title=Malcolm Turnbull signs Kevin Rudd's petition challenging News Corp media dominance|work=The Guardian|location=Australia|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/oct/25/malcolm-turnbull-signs-kevin-rudds-petition-challenging-news-corp-media-dominance|access-date=30 October 2020|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028222924/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/oct/25/malcolm-turnbull-signs-kevin-rudds-petition-challenging-news-corp-media-dominance|url-status=live}}</ref> The petition became the most signed parliamentary e-petition in Australia, with more than 500,000 signatures.<ref>{{cite news|author=Wilson, Cam|date=29 October 2020|title=Kevin Rudd's News Corp Royal Commission Petition is Now Australia's Most Signed Parliamentary E-Petition Ever|work=Gizmodo|location=Australia|url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/10/kevin-rudds-news-corp-royal-commission-petition-is-now-australias-most-signed-parliamentary-e-petition-ever/|access-date=30 October 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031083630/https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/10/kevin-rudds-news-corp-royal-commission-petition-is-now-australias-most-signed-parliamentary-e-petition-ever/|url-status=live}}</ref> The petition was tabled in the House of Representatives by [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] MP [[Andrew Leigh]] on 9 November 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Petition calling for media royal commission and setting Australian record tabled in Parliament |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-09/media-diversity-petition-started-by-kevin-rudd-lodged-parliament/12863982 |author=Snape, Jack |date=10 October 2020 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |access-date=11 November 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109194248/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-09/media-diversity-petition-started-by-kevin-rudd-lodged-parliament/12863982 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2021, Turnbull joined the board of the [[International Hydropower Association]] as a non-executive member, also becoming a co-chair of the organisation's International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hydropower.org/news/former-australian-pm-malcolm-turnbull-to-spearhead-international-hydropower-initiative|title=Former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull to spearhead international hydropower initiative|date=11 February 2021|publisher=International Hydropower Association|access-date=14 February 2021|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211125925/https://www.hydropower.org/news/former-australian-pm-malcolm-turnbull-to-spearhead-international-hydropower-initiative|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, Turnbull gave a speech at the Centre for Asia Pacific Resilience and Innovation, at the organisation's annual forum in [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]]. In the speech, he stated that Taiwan was under a greater threat from local actors who spread lies than external forces, seemingly hinting at recent issues involving China.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bourke |first1=Latika |title='Drowning in lies': Turnbull warns Taipei audience of internal threat to democracy |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/drowning-in-lies-turnbull-warns-taipei-audience-of-internal-threat-to-democracy-20230529-p5dc7p.html |access-date=29 May 2023 |work=[[The Age]] |date=29 May 2023 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529082440/https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/drowning-in-lies-turnbull-warns-taipei-audience-of-internal-threat-to-democracy-20230529-p5dc7p.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Lucy and Malcolm Turnbull (6707565323).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Turnbull and his wife [[Lucy Turnbull]], 2003–04 [[List of mayors, lord mayors and administrators of Sydney|Sydney Lord Mayor]], in January 2012]]
Turnbull is married to [[Lucy Turnbull]] ({{nee|Hughes}}), who was the [[List of mayors, lord mayors and administrators of Sydney|Lord Mayor of Sydney]] from 2003 to 2004 and has held a number of other prominent positions. The couple were married on 22 March 1980 at [[Cumnor]], Oxfordshire, by a [[Church of England]] priest while Turnbull was attending the [[University of Oxford]].<ref name="Turnbull-2009">{{cite interview |last= Turnbull |first= Malcolm |interviewer= Belinda Hawkins |title= Malcolm Turnbull Interview |url= http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2007/s2645849.htm |type= transcript |work= [[Australian Story]] |publisher= [[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]] |location= Australia |date= 3 August 2009 |access-date= 26 December 2014 |archive-date= 19 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150919022518/http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2007/s2645849.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> They live in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.<ref name="AboutMalcolm">{{cite web |title=About Malcolm |url=http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/meet-malcolm/biography |publisher=Malcolm Turnbull |year=2016 |access-date=1 July 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701062546/http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/meet-malcolm/biography |url-status=live }}</ref>

Turnbull and Lucy have two adult children, Alex and Daisy, and {{as of|July 2016|lc=on}}, three grandchildren.<ref name="AboutMalcolm"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/malcolm-turnbull-announces-safe-arrival-of-grandson-jack-on-twitter/story-fncynjr2-1226722780584|title=Malcolm Turnbull announces safe arrival of grandson Jack on Twitter|work=News.com.au|date=19 September 2013|publisher=[[News Corp Australia]]|access-date=22 September 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921195606/http://www.news.com.au/national-news/malcolm-turnbull-announces-safe-arrival-of-grandson-jack-on-twitter/story-fncynjr2-1226722780584|url-status=dead}}</ref> Alex Turnbull is married to Yvonne Wang, who is of Chinese descent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/is-malcolm-turnbull-soft-on-china-because-of-his-family-connections-20150915-gjnbz8.html |title=Is Malcolm Turnbull 'soft' on China because of his family connections? |publisher=Smh.com.au |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412045850/https://www.smh.com.au/national/is-malcolm-turnbull-soft-on-china-because-of-his-family-connections-20150915-gjnbz8.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/turnbull-has-chinese-daughter-in-law |title=Turnbull has Chinese daughter-in-law |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=23 September 2015 |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623033352/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/turnbull-has-chinese-daughter-in-law |url-status=live }}</ref>

The use of Bligh as a male middle name is a tradition in the Turnbull family. It is also Turnbull's son's middle name. One of Turnbull's ancestors was colonist John Turnbull, who named his youngest son William Bligh Turnbull in honour of deposed [[Governor of New South Wales|Governor]] [[William Bligh]] at the time of the [[Rum Rebellion]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Captain Bligh's Other Mutiny |year=2007|pages=84–85|publisher=Random House Australia|location=Sydney |isbn=978-1-74166-798-1}}</ref>

In 2008, Turnbull became the first Liberal leader to have admitted to smoking [[cannabis]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://amp.smh.com.au/national/turnbulls-pot-admission-makes-a-whiff-of-history-20080925-4o7e.html | title=Turnbull's pot admission makes a whiff of history | access-date=17 June 2023 | archive-date=17 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617040334/https://amp.smh.com.au/national/turnbulls-pot-admission-makes-a-whiff-of-history-20080925-4o7e.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Religion===
Raised [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]], Turnbull became agnostic in the beginning of his adult life and later converted to [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]] "by mid-2002"; his wife's family is Roman Catholic.<ref>{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Roy |url=http://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/news-malcolm-turnbull-faith |title=The faith story of Malcolm Turnbull |publisher=Tma.melbourneanglican.org.au |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023707/http://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/news-malcolm-turnbull-faith |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2007/s2645849.htm |title=Malcolm Turnbull interview with Belinda Hawkins |publisher=ABC Australia |date=3 August 2009 |access-date=2 November 2012 |archive-date=19 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919022518/http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2007/s2645849.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he has found himself at odds with the [[Catholic Church and abortion|church's teaching on abortion]], [[Stem cell controversy#Catholicism|stem cell research]] and [[Catholic Church and homosexuality|same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/catholic-mps-to-defy-pell-over-bill/2007/06/05/1180809521252.html?page=fullpage|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|title=Catholic MPs to defy Pell over bill|date=6 June 2007|access-date=2 November 2012|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419032556/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/catholic-mps-to-defy-pell-over-bill/2007/06/05/1180809521252.html?page=fullpage|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite interview|last=Turnbull|first=Malcolm|interviewer=[[Virginia Trioli]]|title=Artistic Politics|type=television panel interview|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3537320.htm|format=transcript|work=[[Q&A (Australian talk show)|Q&<span class="ltr">A</span>]]|publisher=[[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]]|location=Australia|date=9 July 2012|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226034005/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3537320.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull supported legislation relaxing restrictions on abortion pill [[Mifepristone|RU486]], and he also voted for the legalisation of [[somatic cell nuclear transfer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/cardinal-pell-enters-ru486-debate/2006/02/14/1139890738835.html|title=Cardinal Pell enters RU486 debate|date=15 February 2006|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|author1=Misha Schubert|author2=Jewel Topsfield|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018052713/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/cardinal-pell-enters-ru486-debate/2006/02/14/1139890738835.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial Responsibility for Approval of Ru486) Bill 2005|url=https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/wentworth/malcolm_turnbull/divisions/2006-02-16/2|date=16 February 2006|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022733/https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/wentworth/malcolm_turnbull/divisions/2006-02-16/2|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2006-12-05.54.2#g76.1|title=Parliament Hansard – Malcolm Turnbull|date=5 December 2006|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018052713/http://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2006-12-05.54.2#g76.1|url-status=live}}</ref> He did so despite vocal opposition to both proposals by Cardinal [[George Pell]], the then-[[Catholic Bishops and Archbishops of Sydney|Archbishop of Sydney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/cardinal-pell-enters-ru486-debate/2006/02/14/1139890738835.html|title=Cardinal Pell enters RU486 debate|last1=Schubert|first1=Misha|last2=Topsfield|first2=Jewel|date=15 February 2006|website=The Age|location=Canberra|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906080618/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/cardinal-pell-enters-ru486-debate/2006/02/14/1139890738835.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/catholic-mps-to-defy-pell-over-bill/2007/06/05/1180809521252.html|title=Catholic MPs to defy Pell over bill|last1=Smith|first1=Alexandra|last2=Morris|first2=Linda|website=Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 June 2007|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-date=17 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517091827/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/catholic-mps-to-defy-pell-over-bill/2007/06/05/1180809521252.html?|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Personal wealth ===
In 2005, the combined net worth of Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull was estimated at {{AUD}}133&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite news|author1=Murphy, Katharine|author2=Grattan, Michelle|author-link2=Michelle Grattan|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/all-a-bit-rich-as-wealthy-worlds-collide-in-the-battle-for-the-battlers-20080917-4ior.html|title=All a bit rich as wealthy worlds collide in the battle for the battlers|work=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne|date=18 September 2008|access-date=2 June 2014|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225075536/https://www.theage.com.au/national/all-a-bit-rich-as-wealthy-worlds-collide-in-the-battle-for-the-battlers-20080917-4ior.html|url-status=live}}</ref> making him Australia's richest parliamentarian<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/09/24/The_politics_of_envy_and_the_actions_of_greed|title=The politics of envy and the actions of greed|work=Live News|date=24 September 2008|access-date=27 April 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216134540/http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/09/24/The_politics_of_envy_and_the_actions_of_greed|archive-date=16 December 2008}}</ref> until the election of billionaire [[Clive Palmer]] in the 2013 election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brw.com.au/p/entrepreneurs/clive_palmer_joins_elite_pressure_e6OlAjqPq6be7UVAlKO9cI|title=Clive Palmer joins elite club of rich-list politicians, but his fortune's under pressure|first=James|last=Thomson|date=9 September 2013|work=[[BRW (magazine)|BRW]]|access-date=29 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195100/http://www.brw.com.au/p/entrepreneurs/clive_palmer_joins_elite_pressure_e6OlAjqPq6be7UVAlKO9cI|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/20116606/clive-palmer-calls-for-company-tax-changes-in-maiden-speech-to/|title=Clive Palmer calls for company tax changes in maiden speech to Parliament|first=Emma|last=Griffiths|date=2 December 2013|publisher=Yahoo!7|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235623/http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/20116606/clive-palmer-calls-for-company-tax-changes-in-maiden-speech-to/|archive-date=30 December 2013}}</ref>

Turnbull made the ''[[BRW Rich 200]]'' list for the second year running in 2010, and although he slipped from 182 to 197, his estimated net worth increased to {{AUD}}186&nbsp;million, and he continued to be the only sitting politician to make the list.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/luxury/politicians-wealth-revealed-as-malcolm-turnbull-makes-rich-list-again-20100526-wd6y.html|title=Politicians' wealth revealed as Malcolm Turnbull makes rich list again|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=26 May 2010|access-date=26 May 2010|first=Chris|last=Zappone|archive-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125020432/http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/luxury/politicians-wealth-revealed-as-malcolm-turnbull-makes-rich-list-again-20100526-wd6y.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Turnbull was not listed in the 2014 list of the ''BRW Rich 200''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brw.com.au/lists/rich-200/2014/|title=BRW Rich 200|work=[[BRW (magazine)|BRW]]|date=27 June 2014|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000920/http://www.brw.com.au/lists/rich-200/2014/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2015, his estimated net worth is in excess of {{AUD}}200&nbsp;million.<ref name="John Stensholt-2015">{{cite news |author=John Stensholt |url=http://www.afr.com/news/politics/national/malcolm-turnbull-the-member-for-net-worth-20150917-gjou0j |title=Malcolm Turnbull: the member for Net Worth |newspaper=[[Australian Financial Review]] |date=17 September 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=27 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127191953/http://www.afr.com/news/politics/national/malcolm-turnbull-the-member-for-net-worth-20150917-gjou0j |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Honours ==
On 1 January 2001, Turnbull received the [[Centenary Medal]] for services to the corporate sector.<ref>{{Citation|title=It's an Honour: Centenary Medal|publisher=AustralianGovernment|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1116669|access-date=14 September 2015|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629205839/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1116669|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2021 Australia Day Honours]], he was awarded [[Order of Australia|Companion of the Order of Australia]] for "eminent service to the people and Parliament of Australia, particularly as Prime Minister, through significant contributions to national security, free trade, the environment and clean energy, innovation, economic reform and marriage equality, and to business and philanthropy".<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Honourable Malcolm Bligh TURNBULL|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2007752|access-date=25 January 2021|website=It's An Honour|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201114026/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2007752|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Published works ==
Turnbull has written several books:
* {{cite book|author1=Turnbull, Malcolm|title=The Spycatcher Trial|date=1988|publisher=William Heinemann Australia|isbn=978-0-85561-239-9 }}
* {{cite book|author1=Turnbull, Malcolm|title=The Reluctant Republic|date=1993|publisher=William Heinemann Australia|isbn=978-0-85561-372-3 }}
* {{cite book|author1=Turnbull, Malcolm|title=Fighting for the Republic: The Ultimate Insider's Account|date=1999|publisher=Hardie Grant|isbn=978-1-86498-107-0 }}
* {{cite book|author1=Turnbull, Malcolm|title=A Bigger Picture|date=2020|publisher=Hardie Grant|isbn=978-1-74379-563-7 }}

== See also ==
{{stack|{{Portal|Biography|Australia|Business and economics|Conservatism|Liberalism|New South Wales|Politics}}}}
* [[2016 Australian federal election]]
* [[Turnbull government]]
* [[First Turnbull ministry]]
* [[Second Turnbull ministry]]
{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book |last1=Manning |first1=Paddy |date=2015 |title=Born to Rule: The Unauthorised Biography of Malcolm Turnbull |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CuCZCgAAQBAJ |location=Carlton, Victoria |language=en |publisher=Melbourne University Press |isbn=9780522868807}}
* {{cite book |last1=Turnbull |first1=Malcolm |date=2022 |title=A Bigger Picture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8wLcDwAAQBAJ |location=Richmond, Victoria |language=en |publisher=Hardie Grant Books |isbn=9781743797884}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book| editor1-last=Gauja |editor1-first= Anika| editor2-last= Chen| editor2-first=Peter| editor3-last=Curtin | editor3-first=Jennifer| editor4-last=Pietsch| editor4-first=Juliet| url=https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n4149/pdf/book.pdf|title=Double Disillusion: The 2016 Australian Federal Election|publisher=ANU Press|year=2017|isbn=9781760461867}}
* McCaffrie, Brendan. "Trust Me, I'm the Prime Minister: Prime Ministerial Statecraft under Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison." in ''From Turnbull to Morrison: The Trust Divide'' (Melbourne University Press, 2019) pp . 354-369.
* McDougall, Derek. "From Malcolm Turnbull to ScoMo: crisis for the centre-right in Australia." ''The Round Table'' 107.5 (2018): 557-570.
* Masters, Adam B., and John Uhr. "Malcolm Turnbull: From Hope to Disappointment." in ''Leadership Performance and Rhetoric'' (Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2017) pp. 119-134.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Malcolm Turnbull}}
{{wikiquote|Malcolm Turnbull}}
* {{Official website|http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/}}
* {{C-SPAN|81746}}

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