Member for Hume Alby Schultz, who managed to hang onto his seat in the Ruddslide last week, said yesterday he was full confidence in the Liberal Party’s new leader Dr Brendan Nelson.
Mr Nelson was elected over Malcolm Turnbull by just three votes last week.
Peter Costello declined the leadership after the election rout and Tony Abbot decided to stay out of the race.
Mr Schultz said the party was headed in fresh new direction with a new approach.
“We had two outstanding and intelligent men stand for the job,” he said.
Mr Shultz would not reveal who he voted for but said the Liberal Party was not in disarray.
“Unlike the Labor Party we have a lot of talent. We have plenty of fresh new talent coming through,” he said.
Mr Schultz will not stand at the next election and will retire from politics after a career serving his community spanning 20 years.
He would not speculate on who might succeed him as the Liberal candidate for Hume.
With Mr Schultz having suffered a negative swing of 7.2 per cent and Labor achieving an overall swing of 8.8 per cent, the next Liberal candidate for Hume will definitely have their work cut out.
Commenting on Dr Nelson’s appearance on the ABC’s Insiders program yesterday morning, Mr Schultz said he was impressed.
“I think he performed well,” Mr Schultz said.
Mr Nelson has differentiated himself early on from the Howard era by stating he would support increased social justice for same sex relationships.
Mr Nelson did not go as far as to say he supported same sex marriage and Mr Schultz agreed.
“All Australians are entitled to the same benefits but a marriage is only between a man and a woman,” he said.
Mr Schultz was quick to jump into his Opposition role by stating the Labor Government had an obligation to carry through on the promises he made to the electorate.
“They have a duty to ensure the $264 million duplication of the Barton and Hume Highway goes ahead,” he said.
Mr Schultz said he would continue to fight for the people of Hume.
“I will serve out my term with vigour and rigourness as the people of Hume’s local member,” he said.
The Highlands remained loyal to Mr Schultz, as did the rural areas of Hume.
Mr Schultz said he was grateful to those who re-elected him.
The increased size of the Greens vote both nationally and in his own electorate did not worry Mr Schultz.
“It will be short-lived. The Greens criticised our polices without revealing their own. Nobody will be fooled,” he said.
Mr Schultz also has a stab at the presidential style of Labor’s campaign.
“All my booth workers told me from the 84 booths in Hume that the Labor people were telling everyone to vote Kevin Rudd,’ he said.
Mr Schultz said he would be disappointed if former Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough, who lost his seat of Longman, was lost to the Liberal Party.
“I would like to see Mal play a continuing role.
“He was a fine minister of the crown,’ he said.
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