Malcolm Turnbull did the right thing by lancing a leadership "boil" rather than enduring death by a thousand cuts, says Nick Greiner.
The Liberal Party federal president and former NSW premier told the ABC he was not aware the prime minister would call a leadership spill on Tuesday, but that dealing with it was the right thing to do.
"There is a hankering ... for the prime minister to make decisions like the one he made in terms of the decisive move to not have some sort of death by a thousand cuts," he said.
"But rather to act in a clear-cut manner and allow this issue, the boil, if you like, to be lanced."
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton putting his hand up to challenge Mr Turnbull was "entirely sensible", Mr Greiner said.
Mr Dutton lost 48 votes to 35 and resigned to the backbench.
Mr Greiner said the Liberal Party was a "broad church" and the real issue was looking forward to the next federal election.
"There is nothing new here. What is important is how the party manages these differences."
If differences were not managed, the results would be pretty obvious come the next election.
"It is either a focus on winning and what works, or a focus on bellybutton gazing, and that won't work," Mr Greiner said.
He also offered veiled criticism of former prime minister Tony Abbott.
"Tony is a great plus for the party when he devotes himself towards attacking the Labor Party," he said.
"I hope he sticks with his often stated view that avoiding a Shorten government is the most important thing for Australia."
He said the Liberals were well-prepared for the next election, which would be held by May.
"Should we have more money? Yes, of course we should," he said.
"The election will be held roughly when it is due, and I think all the rest is really just fairly bizarre speculation."
Australian Associated Press
