DUMPED minister Eric Abetz has asked the Liberal Party faithful for financial backing in a bid to run for another six-year Senate term, and has urged members to stay with the party after hundreds tore up their membership. In an email to rank and file members on Wednesday, Senator Abetz said he was disappointed to hear of a "spate of resignations" from members since Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took over the leadership. At the end of the email he calls for donations to "help me get re-elected", confirming he plans to stay in politics. "The Liberal Party has always been bigger than the person who holds the position of federal Leader of the Parliamentary Party from time to time," Senator Abetz said. "With calls for the formation of a new party and hundreds of resignations from the Liberal Party, I call on members to remain as members of our party," he said. Tasmanian Liberal Party president Geoff Page said only seven Tasmanian members had resigned and three had not renewed their membership, citing leadership changes as the reason. "During this period we have also had eight applications from new members wishing to join the Liberal Party," Mr Page said. "While any resignation of any member is regrettable, we need to keep a sense of proportion about this, given that it is a matter of public record that the Tasmanian division's membership numbers are over 2000," he said. Senator Abetz was dumped as employment minister and leader of the government in the Senate when Mr Turnbull appointed his new cabinet last month. "It is understandable that with the removal of Tony Abbott, Kevin Andrews and myself from the ministry that our core constituency feels disenfranchised and concerned that their views will no longer be heard," Senator Abetz said. "I want to assure anyone who subscribes to the values espoused by [Sir Robert] Menzies that I will continue to be a strong advocate for the grass roots of our cause and what we believe in, albeit from the backbench." It comes as former PM Tony Abbott called on members to support Mr Turnbull even through "gritted teeth".
DUMPED minister Eric Abetz has asked the Liberal Party faithful for financial backing in a bid to run for another six-year Senate term, and has urged members to stay with the party after hundreds tore up their membership.
In an email to rank and file members on Wednesday, Senator Abetz said he was disappointed to hear of a "spate of resignations" from members since Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took over the leadership.
At the end of the email he calls for donations to "help me get re-elected", confirming he plans to stay in politics.
"The Liberal Party has always been bigger than the person who holds the position of federal Leader of the Parliamentary Party from time to time," Senator Abetz said.
"With calls for the formation of a new party and hundreds of resignations from the Liberal Party, I call on members to remain as members of our party," he said.
Tasmanian Liberal Party president Geoff Page said only seven Tasmanian members had resigned and three had not renewed their membership, citing leadership changes as the reason.
"During this period we have also had eight applications from new members wishing to join the Liberal Party," Mr Page said.
"While any resignation of any member is regrettable, we need to keep a sense of proportion about this, given that it is a matter of public record that the Tasmanian division's membership numbers are over 2000," he said.
Senator Abetz was dumped as employment minister and leader of the government in the Senate when Mr Turnbull appointed his new cabinet last month.
"It is understandable that with the removal of Tony Abbott, Kevin Andrews and myself from the ministry that our core constituency feels disenfranchised and concerned that their views will no longer be heard," Senator Abetz said.
"I want to assure anyone who subscribes to the values espoused by [Sir Robert] Menzies that I will continue to be a strong advocate for the grass roots of our cause and what we believe in, albeit from the backbench."
It comes as former PM Tony Abbott called on members to support Mr Turnbull even through "gritted teeth".
