The call came yesterday from former Liberal MP Bruce Baird who retired two years ago and now chairs the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council set up by the Rudd Government.

He said the Liberal Party had a number of people who should say, ''I've had a good time ... I contributed but now it's time for a new person''.

''Philip [Ruddock] and Bronwyn [Bishop] and Wilson [Tuckey] would be high on the agenda,'' Mr Baird said.

''Wilson is older than I am and Bronwyn is the same age as me and Philip so I think it's important.''

Mr Tuckey is one of the outspoken critics of Mr Turnbull's handling of the climate change issue. He is among the Coalition MPs who see no scope to negotiate on the Government's plan for an emissions trading scheme.

Mr Turnbull has staked his leadership on securing support within his party room for yet-to-be-revealed amendments.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times