In his leadership challenge to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Mr Turnbull said unless the Abbott was replaced as leader, Mr Shorten would walk to an election victory. 

Mr Turnbull said the opposition leader had a “catastrophic” approach to the China Free Trade Agreement. 

“That is desperate nonsense from Malcolm Turnbull,” Ms Chesters said.

“He went on to ridicule Bill Shorten for standing up for Australian jobs – to introduce proper safeguards into the China Fair Trade Agreement to protect local jobs.”

“We make no apology for standing up for locals and putting local jobs first.”

Ms Chesters stressed a change in Liberal leadership would not alter the government’s policies. 

“All Australians know that the Liberals changing their leaders changes nothing,” she said. 

“They got 30 bad news polls not just because they don't like Tony Abbott...they also don't like the Liberal party policies.” 

“(Malcolm Turnbull) signed his name to the same cuts and broken promises of the past two years...all of the sins of this government, he has been part of.”

She said Mr Turnbull had been a “failure” in his role as Communications minister – a position he resigned from on Monday afternoon. 

“He has been a failure because of his mishandling and mess he's created with the NBN,” she said. 

“Bendigo is still not on the map...it’s a terrible telecommunications crisis, we have been delayed two years, and this is under his watch.” 

“Malcolm Turnbull is ambitious for himself, but he's not ambitious for our country.”

Ms Chesters questioned how Mr Turnbull would reach out to the Nationals Party is he was successful in his leadership bid – a coalition the Liberals need to maintain government. 

She said the Nationals Party were blindsided by the challenge. 

At 4pm when Mr Turnbull called on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to stand down, Ms Chesters was meeting with deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Nationals, Warren Truss. 

“In my opinion the Nationals Party had no idea what was going on,” Ms Chesters said. 

“Barnaby Joyce came into the meeting at the end and it looked someone had just run over his new toy car.”

“He hasn't started well by surprising this on the National Party in this way.”

Ms Chesters said her meeting with the deputy Prime Minister was focusing on stronger regions, focusing on local organisations Radius Disability Services and the Kangaroo Flat aquatic centre. 

The Bendigo Advertiser contacted Senator Michael Ronaldson's office, but was advised he will not be making any comments at this time. 

The Liberal Party voted Malcolm Turnbull as it’s new leader and Prime Minister on Monday night before 10pm, with 54 votes to 44. 

Julie Bishop was re-elected as Deputy Prime Minister.