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 The conservative Liberal Party voted in a secret ballot late on
Monday to oust Tony Abbott as its leader in favor of Turnbull, a
multi-millionaire former tech entrepreneur who is popular with the
electorate.
"I'm filled with optimism and we will be setting out in the weeks
ahead ... more of those foundations that will ensure our prosperity
in the years ahead," Turnbull told reporters as he headed to
parliament on Tuesday before being sworn in.
Abbott was deposed barely two years into his three-year term after
months of opinion polls that showed his popularity near rock bottom
as Australia's $1.5 trillion economy struggles to cope with the end
of a once-in-a-century mining boom.
Turnbull had previously been unpalatable to his party's right wing
because of his progressive views on climate change, same-sex
marriage and making Australia a republic.
In his first address to parliament as leader, Turnbull stuck to the
ruling coalition's timetable set under Abbott and said Australians
would vote on same-sex marriage after elections due next year.
Abbott's dismal performance and over-reliance on slogans to sell his
major policies, including a hardline approach to refugees,
eventually wore down internal opposition to Turnbull.
 Abbott pledged to make the leadership transition as smooth as
possible but, in his last address as leader on Tuesday, also
expressed concern that "a revolving door prime ministership can't be
good for our country".
Australia has been convulsed by backroom machinations and party
coups in recent years that have shaken public and business
confidence in government.
"There will be no wrecking, no undermining, and no sniping," Abbott
told reporters.
The Nationals, the minor partner in the ruling conservative
coalition, pledged to work with Turnbull. "A close working team is essential to delivering the good government
Australia expects from their elected representatives," Nationals
leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said in a statement.
"GENEROUS, PERSONAL"
Turnbull, a staunch republican, was sworn in at government house in
Canberra by Governor General Peter Cosgrove, Queen Elizabeth II of
Britain's representative in Australia.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle briefly set aside partisan
bickering to praise the outgoing Abbott.
"I have exchanged harsh words with him in my time as opposition
leader," said Labor Party leader Bill Shorten.
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"I've disagreed with his politics and decisions on many occasions
but I also wish to record that he had this frustrating ability on
occasion, just when you were really frustrated with a particular
decision he might have made, to do something unexpected and generous
and personal."
Turnbull's ascension is seen by many political analysts as restoring
stability because he presents a more formidable foe to face the
Labor Party at elections due in about a year.
"Malcolm Turnbull is much more of a threat to the leader of the
opposition than Tony Abbott was," said Peter Chen, a senior lecturer
in government at Sydney University.
"It looks like, unless things really change, the government will get
a second term in office."
Significant changes are expected when Turnbull, who had been toppled
as Liberal Party leader by Abbott in 2009, unveils his ministry
later this week. The respite from partisanship was short-lived as
opponents sought to influence those changes.
The Greens Party immediately called on Turnbull to remove children
from a controversial immigration detention center on the Pacific
island nation of Nauru, where asylum seekers arriving in Australia
by boat are sent for processing.
"I urge Mr. Turnbull to show that Australia is strong enough to care
for refugees by releasing the children that are locked up offshore,"
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said in a statement.
Treasurer Joe Hockey, who has been battling a backlash against a
deeply unpopular budget, and Defence Minister Kevin Andrews, who is
overseeing a A$50 billion ($35.70 billion) submarine tender, are
both expected to be replaced.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Kate
Carnell welcomed the promise of more collegiate and co-operative
government, urging Turnbull to undertake reforms to boost
productivity and competitiveness.
Australia's revolving door leadership has plagued both major
parties. Labor's Kevin Rudd, elected prime minister with a strong
mandate in 2007, was deposed by his deputy, Julia Gillard, in 2010
amid poll numbers as dismal as Abbott's.
Gillard was in turn deposed by Rudd ahead of the 2013 elections won
by Abbott.
(Additional reporting by Lincoln Feast in SYDNEY; Editing by Dean
Yates and Paul Tait)
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