Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has questioned why Angus Taylor remains on the Liberal frontbench following reports of a secret meeting to discuss a future leadership challenge.
Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Butler said he did not understand how Taylor could keep his shadow cabinet position while allegedly organising support for a leadership bid.
“I don’t understand how Angus Taylor is still on the frontbench. I mean he is so obviously putting together a leadership challenge,” Butler said.
The comments come amid ongoing instability within the Liberal Party following its election loss, with internal divisions reportedly splitting MPs between supporters of Taylor and Sussan Ley.
Butler said he expected the opposition to face further disruption when parliament resumes, describing the situation as “a shambles on the other side of the parliament”.
He also used the interview to promote the Albanese government’s record, highlighting increased hospital funding after decades of negotiations with the states and defending Labor’s work on reforming the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
At the risk of appearing overenthusiastic about Labor’s position, Butler said the opposition’s internal divisions made it difficult to see how it could effectively present itself as an alternative government.
