Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Bligh Turnbull was born in Sydney, on 24 October 1954, the only child of Bruce Bligh Turnbull and 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.{{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}}{{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=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 }} His maternal grandmother, May Lansbury (née Morle), was born in England, while his other grandparents were Australian-born.{{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}}{{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 }} He is also of Scottish descent; his great-great-great-grandfather John Turnbull (1751–1834) arrived on the 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.[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 Turnbull's parents married in December 1955, fourteen months after his birth.{{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}} The Turnbulls lived in a two-bedroom flat in Vaucluse, where Turnbull would attend the nearby public school.Turnbull (2020), p. 11 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. Coral frequently belittled her husband about his lack of education and that the fortunes of the family depended on her.Turnbull (2020), p. 9 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 PhD in New Zealand, was an effort by Bruce to hide the fact that Coral had left him.Turnbull (2020), p. 12-13 Turnbull was from then raised solely by his father.{{cite news |first=Sandra |last=Lee |title=A leader in waiting? |newspaper=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 }}{{cite news |title =Turnbull battles for Wentworth |publisher =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 }}{{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 }} Turnbull suffered from asthma as a young child.{{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 }}

After spending his first three years of schooling at Vaucluse Public School, he started boarding at Sydney Grammar School in St Ives. Turnbull wrote that he hated boarding school, as he was bullied due to bed wetting. Bruce, now a single father, had troubles paying school fees, causing many letters to be sent to the Turnbull residence from the school bursar.Turnbull (2020), p. 14 These financial issues forced the Turnbulls to move from Vaucluse to a small flat in Double Bay, where they lived without much furniture.Turnbull (2020) p. 14-15 Turnbull then began to attend Grammar's high school campus on College Street, on a partial scholarship.{{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 }} During this time he lived at the school's former Randwick boarding facilities.{{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 }}{{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 }}{{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 }}{{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 }} 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.Turnbull (2020), p. 19 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 Shakespeare plays, respectively.Turnbull (2020), p. 19-21{{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}} He was made senior school co-captain in 1972,Turnbull (2020), p. 22 however, contrary to certain sources, Turnbull was not the dux of his graduating year at Sydney Grammar.{{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 }} 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.

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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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/|hdl-access=free}}{{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}} Turnbull wrote for the school's newspaper, Honi Soit, writing largely about politics.Turnbull (2020), p. 24 Turnbull also visited former Premier of New South Wales Jack Lang, discussing 1920s and 1930s state politics.Turnbull (2020), p. 25 During his studies, he was involved in student politics, serving as board director of the University of Sydney Union and a member of the Students' Representative Council.{{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 }}{{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 }} He also worked part-time as a political journalist for Nation Review, Radio 2SM and Channel 9, covering state politics.{{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}} Around this time, Turnbull would meet businessman Kerry Packer, for whom he would later do extensive legal work.Turnbull (2020), p. 28-29

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.{{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}}Turnbull (2020), p. 36 While at Oxford, he worked for The Sunday Times and contributed to newspapers and magazines in both the United States and Australia.{{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.}} He befriended the future UK prime minister Theresa May, who credits Turnbull for encouraging her husband Philip May to propose to her.{{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 }} Turnbull also met his future wife, Lucy, during this time.Turnbull (2020), p. 38 During Turnbull's time at Oxford, a university don wrote of him that he was "always going to enter life's rooms without knocking".{{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 |newspaper=The Economist }}

After graduating from Oxford, Turnbull returned to Australia and began working as a barrister. He was general counsel and secretary for Australian Consolidated Press Holdings Group from 1983 to 1985.{{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}} During this time, he defended Kerry Packer against the "Goanna" allegations made by the 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.Turnbull (2020), p. 49 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".Turnbull (2020), p. 50-51 The statement worked, and it was printed in full in many newspapers, increasing public opinion of Packer.Turnbull (2020), p. 51 Turnbull later advised Packer to sue Meagher for defamation, an action that was struck down by Justice 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. 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.Turnbull (2020), p. 53-54

In partnership with Bruce McWilliam, he established his own law firm, Turnbull McWilliam. During 1986, Turnbull defended Peter Wright, a former MI5 official who wrote the book Spycatcher, detailing his work for the spy agency during the Cold War.{{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 }} The British government had obtained an injunction to stop the book's sale, and wanted to do the same in Australia.Turnbull (2020), p. 57 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.Turnbull (2020), p. 59-62 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.Turnbull (2020), p. 66{{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|publisher=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}} Turnbull later wrote a book on the trial, titled The Spycatcher Trial.The book was reviewed in 1993 by 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 }}

{{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 1986M. Turnbull, "The Spycatcher Trial" (1988), 195.}}

In 1987, Turnbull established an investment banking firm, Whitlam Turnbull & Co Ltd, in partnership with Neville Wran, the former 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 "clear-felling operation",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. 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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 burst in 1999 for $57 million to then-telecommunications giant MCI Worldcom.{{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}}

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,{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} In 1982, following his retirement from politics, former prime minister William McMahon nominated Turnbull as his preferred successor in Lowe; the Liberals chose another candidate, and lost the by-election to Labor.{{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}} Turnbull later attempted preselection in the safe state seat of Mosman in 1983, losing to Phillip Smiles. He let his membership of the Liberal Party lapse in 1986, before rejoining in 2000.{{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}} 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}}

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 republican form of government by replacing the Queen of Australia with an elected Australian head of state. Later that year, Turnbull became Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, a position he would hold until 2000. He was an elected delegate at the 1998 Australian Constitutional Convention in Canberra.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

Turnbull was an active campaigner in the unsuccessful 1999 referendum to establish an 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".{{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 }} 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.{{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}}

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 Senator Lionel Murphy, who had briefly dated her in university. Both men were members of the Labor Party.Turnbull (2020), p. 5-6 Turnbull himself was also friends with another Labor premier, Bob Carr.Turnbull (2020), p. 23 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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}}

In 2000, Turnbull intended to seek Liberal preselection for Wentworth but did not eventually contest after concluding that preselection hopeful Peter King had the numbers in the branches. In 2003, Turnbull announced that he would challenge King for the seat and successfully defeated him to become the Liberal candidate.{{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}} 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".{{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=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}}

Following his preselection loss, King stood against Turnbull at the 2004 federal election as an 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.{{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}} 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 vote after a 2.4% swing. The result meant that Wentworth was classified as a marginal seat for the first time since the 1993 federal election.{{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}}

{{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.{{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=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 }} 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,{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=884 |name=Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP |access-date=2021-11-07}} to address the problem of drought in Australia; Turnbull was given responsibility for this office.

In January 2007, Howard promoted Turnbull to the Cabinet as Minister for the Environment and Water. In this position, Turnbull approved a proposed {{AUD}}1.7 billion Bell Bay Pulp Mill in north Tasmania, near Launceston.{{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}} 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.{{cite news|title=Turnbull defends using travel allowance to pay rent at wife's house |work=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 }}

During the 2007 federal election campaign, Turnbull announced that if re-elected the government would contribute {{AUD}}10 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.{{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|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=dead}} 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.

Turnbull retained his seat at the 2007 federal election with a two-party vote 1.3% swing in Wentworth, despite a 5.6% swing away from the Coalition in the state, and a 5.4% swing against them nationwide.{{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}}{{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}} After John Howard lost his seat of 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.{{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}}

On 29 November he narrowly lost the leadership vote to Brendan Nelson by three votes; Nelson quickly appointed Turnbull Shadow Treasurer.{{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}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/08/2157573.htm|title=Turnbull criticises Minchin for gibe|work=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=dead}} This led to a disagreement between the two and culminated in Minchin privately telling Turnbull that he was "too fucking sensitive."{{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=dead}} 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.{{cite news|title=Turnbull accuses Swan of 'voodoo economics'|work=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=dead}}

File:Centralcoastpresser b.jpg (right) and Helen Coonan (left) in July 2009]]

After months of consistently poor opinion polling, Turnbull challenged Brendan Nelson for the leadership on 16 September 2008. He won the ballot by four votes and became Leader of the Opposition. Later that month, Turnbull confessed that he had smoked marijuana in his younger days, becoming the first Liberal Leader to make such an admission.{{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}} In early 2009, Turnbull appointed Chris Kenny, a former staffer to Alexander Downer and an Advertiser journalist, as his chief of staff.{{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}} In May 2009, Turnbull attacked the 2009 Australian federal budget which came amidst the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis.{{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}}

In June 2009, Godwin Grech, a 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 'OzCar affair'. Turnbull later repeated these allegations in Parliament, stating that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and 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".{{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|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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-hammered-by-voters-20090628-d1at.html|title=Malcolm Turnbull and Utegate | 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}}

On 24 November 2009, Liberal and National MPs and 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.{{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}} In response, Liberal MPs Wilson Tuckey and Dennis Jensen looked to move a leadership spill motion, intending to nominate Kevin Andrews as a challenger to Turnbull.{{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}} While this attempt failed, increasing numbers of MPs and Senators publicly criticised the position, with several resigning from the Shadow Cabinet, including Tony Abbott.{{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|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=dead}}

On 1 December 2009, just one week after Turnbull announced the policy on the CPRS, Abbott announced he would 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.{{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|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=dead}} After the shock result, Turnbull returned to the backbench and said he would serve out the remainder of his term as Member for Wentworth.Nine Morning News, 1 December 2009. On 6 April 2010, he announced he would not seek re-election to the Australian Parliament.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

At the 2010 federal election, Turnbull was re-elected with an 11.01% two-party swing towards him.{{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}} After discussing the possibility of a return to the Shadow Cabinet with Tony Abbott, Turnbull was made Shadow Minister for Communications.{{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}} In his first policy announcement in the role, Turnbull stated that a Coalition government would "demolish" the recently introduced National Broadband Network.{{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 |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 }}{{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 }}

Delivering the 2012 Alfred Deakin Lecture on digital liberty, he spoke out strongly against the Gillard government's proposed two-year data retention law.{{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}}{{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}}{{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.{{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}}

File:MalcolmTurnbull.jpg Conference in South Korea]]

On 9 April 2013, Turnbull and Tony Abbott presented their party's alternative National Broadband Network (NBN) plan.{{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 }} The plan prioritised a modified and scaled-down NBN with "fibre to the node" (FTTN) and last-mile by copper cable.{{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|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}} The new policy contrasted with the previous position which had called for the dismantling of the entire NBN.

After the Coalition victory in the 2013 federal election, Turnbull was appointed 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 billion and was expected to produce only {{AUD}}600 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} In August 2015, Turnbull revealed that the overall end cost of the network build would likely expand up to an additional $15 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 billion and $56 billion.{{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}}

{{main|February 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill motion}}

Following persistent leadership tensions amidst poor opinion polling, a 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."[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.{{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=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 }}

{{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
Second Turnbull Ministry

| party = Liberal Party

| election = 2016

| appointer = Sir Peter Cosgrove

| nominator =

| seat = The Lodge (Canberra)
Kirribilli House (Sydney)

| predecessor = Tony Abbott

| successor = 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

}}

{{main|September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill}}

File:Malcolm Turnbull swearing-in ceremony September 2015.jpg by 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.{{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}} Turnbull stated that Abbott "was not capable of providing the economic leadership we need" and that the Liberal Party needs a "style of leadership that respects the people's intelligence."{{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}}{{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}} Turnbull defeated Abbott by 54 votes to 44 at the subsequent leadership ballot.Pamela Wilson, "How to stage a coup", The Australian, 20 October 2015.{{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}} He was sworn in as the 29th prime minister of Australia the following day.{{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}}{{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}}

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. The number of Cabinet ministers rose from 19 to 21. On Turnbull's key policy differences with Abbott, particularly climate change, republicanism and same-sex marriage, he stated that there would be no immediate change before any election.{{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 }} The Nationals successfully negotiated a total of $4 billion worth of deals from Turnbull, as well as control of the water portfolio, in exchange for a continued Coalition agreement.{{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 }}[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. Turnbull stated that he would not lead a government that did not take climate change seriously.{{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}}

{{main|2016 Australian federal election}}

File:Malcolm Turnbull visits Peter Cosgrove to request double dissolution.jpg

On 21 March 2016, Turnbull announced that Parliament would consider bills to reinstate the 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 federal budget from 10 to 3 May to facilitate this.{{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}} On 18 April, the Senate once again rejected the bills to reinstate the ABCC. On 8 May, Turnbull visited 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.{{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}}

During the 2016 federal election campaign, a ReachTEL opinion poll of 626 Wentworth voters conducted on 31 May predicted a two-party 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.{{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}} 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.{{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|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}}

At the election, the Coalition lost 14 seats and retained majority government by a single seat.{{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}} The result was the closest since the 1961 federal election. In the days following the election, when the result was still not certain, Turnbull had to negotiate with the crossbench to secure confidence and supply support from Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan in the event of a hung parliament and resulting minority government.{{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}}

In February 2017, Turnbull confirmed he had donated $1.75 million to the Liberal Party's election campaign.[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

{{see also|Abbott government#Asylum seekers|Gillard government#Asylum seekers}}

File:Donald Trump and Malcolm Turnbull 2017.jpg in New York City, May 2017]]

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{{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}} after The Guardian released leaked incident reports alleging "routine dysfunction and cruelty" on Nauru.{{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}}

In July 2016, the Obama administration set up a refugee centre in Costa Rica in response to a Central American migration crisis.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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|accessdate=21 January 2025}}

Turnbull and President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on 28 January 2017, the transcript of which was later leaked to The Washington Post.{{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}} On 2 February 2017, Trump tweeted that Obama's deal was "dumb".{{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}}{{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}} US Vice President Mike Pence later confirmed that the United States would honour the deal, subject to "extreme vetting" of asylum seekers.{{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}} Australia began receiving Central American asylum seekers in July 2017.{{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}}

Since the 2016 election, the Turnbull government had followed prior Coalition government energy policies. This involved the wholesale dismissal of renewable energy targets and 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.{{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}} In response to the gas and energy crisis that occurred in March 2017,{{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}} Malcolm Turnbull announced a 50% increase in the capacity of Snowy Hydro through "pumped hydro" technology.{{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}}

In April 2017, Turnbull announced that he would use the Commonwealth government's powers to place export restrictions on the nation's liquified natural gas ("LNG") industry.{{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}} 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 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.{{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}}

File:Turnbull selfie with Xi Trump Quang.jpg, Donald Trump, and Xi Jinping, November 2017]]

{{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 Australian voters via a plebiscite.{{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 }} Enabling legislation was rejected twice by the Senate,{{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 }}{{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|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}} and so the government decided to adopt a 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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".{{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}}{{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}} The first same-sex marriages in Australia occurred as a result of the law change from 9 January 2018.{{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}}

File:CJCS Attends Shangri-La Dialogue PB383 (34664387820).jpg

{{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 subsection 44(i) of the Australian Constitution.{{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}}{{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}} 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 co-governing 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.{{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}}{{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|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}} The High Court ruled that Canavan was eligible, but disqualified dual citizens Joyce and Nash from Parliament.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

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, who also held dual citizenship. However, in December 2017 both Joyce and Alexander, having renounced their foreign citizenships, contested and won by-elections in their former seats of New England and Bennelong respectively, thereby retaining Turnbull's governing majority in the House of Representatives.{{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 }}

{{Main|2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills}}

File:Bust of Malcolm Turnbull.jpg, 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.{{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}}{{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 }} The spill highlighted ideological tensions within the Liberal Party, between the 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 (43) 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.{{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}}

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".{{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}}

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 House of Representatives.

Coming from the moderate faction of the Liberal Party, Turnbull has been described as being pragmatic and holding a centrist ideology,{{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 }} with progressive{{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 }} and socially liberal views.{{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 |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 }}{{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 |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 }}{{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 }} An acolyte of former Prime Ministers Alfred Deakin{{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 }} and Robert Menzies,{{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 }} 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 he added: "The sensible centre, to use my predecessor Tony Abbott's phrase, was the place to be and it remains the place to be now." Since the end of his political career, he has been highly critical of the Liberal Party's perceived shift to more overt right-wing politics.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/03/malcolm-turnbull-says-the-chickens-are-coming-home-to-roost-for-liberal-party-after-aston-byelection-loss|title=Malcolm Turnbull says the 'chickens are coming home to roost' for Liberal party after Aston byelection loss|work=Guardian Australia|first=Josh|last=Butler|date=3 April 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2023/may/malcolm-turnbull/libs-are-all-right|title=The Libs are all right|work=The Monthly|date=1 May 2023|first=Malcolm|last=Turnbull|accessdate=30 March 2025}}

On 1 June 2019, Turnbull returned to the private sector as a senior advisor to major global private equity firm KKR.{{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}} Turnbull returned to Australia in December 2019 and appeared on the final episode of Q&A hosted by Tony Jones on 9 December 2019.

Turnbull 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."{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} The petition became the most signed parliamentary e-petition in Australia, with more than 500,000 signatures.{{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}} The petition was tabled in the House of Representatives by Labor MP Andrew Leigh on 9 November 2020.{{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 }}

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.{{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}} In 2025, his company sold two pumped hydro projects (Glenbawn Dam and Glennies Creek Dam) to AGL.{{cite web |title=Turnbull sells two pumped hydro storage projects to help AGL switch from coal to renewables |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/turnbull-sells-two-pumped-hydro-storage-projects-to-help-agl-switch-from-coal-to-renewables/ |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |date=8 May 2025}}

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.{{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 }}

File:Lucy and Malcolm Turnbull (6707565323).jpg, 2003–04 Sydney Lord Mayor, in January 2012]]

Turnbull is married to Lucy Turnbull ({{nee|Hughes}}), who was the 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.{{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 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 }} They live in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.{{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 }}

Turnbull and Lucy have two adult children, Alex and Daisy, and {{as of|July 2016|lc=on}}, three grandchildren.{{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}} Alex Turnbull is married to Yvonne Wang, who is of Chinese descent.{{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 }}{{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 }}

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 William Bligh at the time of the Rum Rebellion.{{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}}

In 2008, Turnbull became the first Liberal leader to have admitted to smoking cannabis.{{cite web | url=https://www.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 | date=25 September 2008 | 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 }}

Raised Presbyterian, Turnbull became agnostic in the beginning of his adult life and later converted to Roman Catholicism "by mid-2002"; his wife's family is Roman Catholic.{{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 }}{{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 }} However, he has found himself at odds with the church's teaching on abortion, stem cell research and same-sex marriage.{{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}}{{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|publisher=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}} Turnbull supported legislation relaxing restrictions on abortion pill RU486, and he also voted for the legalisation of somatic cell nuclear transfer.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} He did so despite vocal opposition to both proposals by Cardinal George Pell, the then-Archbishop of Sydney.{{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}}{{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}}

In 2005, the combined net worth of Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull was estimated at {{AUD}}133 million,{{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}} making him Australia's richest parliamentarian{{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}} until the election of billionaire Clive Palmer in the 2013 election.{{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|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}}{{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}}

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 million, and he continued to be the only sitting politician to make the list.{{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}} Turnbull was not listed in the 2014 list of the BRW Rich 200.{{cite web|url=http://www.brw.com.au/lists/rich-200/2014/|title=BRW Rich 200|work=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}} As of 2015, his estimated net worth is in excess of {{AUD}}200 million.{{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 }}

On 1 January 2001, Turnbull received the Centenary Medal for services to the corporate sector.{{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}} In the 2021 Australia Day Honours, he was awarded 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".{{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}}

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 }}

{{stack|{{Portal|2010s|Biography|Australia|Business and economics|Conservatism|Law|Liberalism|New South Wales|Politics}}}}

• 2016 Australian federal election
• Turnbull government
• First Turnbull ministry
• Second Turnbull ministry

{{clear}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{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}}

• {{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.

{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y|Australia|Politics}}

• {{Official website|http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/}}
• {{C-SPAN|81746}}

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