Updated August 24, 2018 15:54:35

Photo: Scott Morrison defeated Julie Bishop (left) and Peter Dutton (right) in a three-way leadership contest. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)

After what's surely been one of the wildest rides in Australian political history, Scott Morrison has emerged as Australia's incoming prime minister.

He defeated Julie Bishop and Peter Dutton in a three-way leadership contest and takes the job of Malcolm Turnbull.

We gave our audience on Facebook Messenger a chance to send the new Liberal leader a message. Here's what you said.

A bunch of you just want an election, now

These are just a sample.

Ben J:

"For the benefit of all Australians, and for the benefit of democracy, call an election, Mr Morrison."

Thomas R:

"The Australian public needs to have their say. No doubt everyone is confused with what is going on, and they deserve to have their voices heard and their decisions honoured."

Jack T:

"Call an election. You no longer have the people's mandate."

Joshua W:

"The public has lost confidence in a party that is split on even who it wants to lead. We need a change in government."

Corey P:

"The Liberal Party has cast their votes now let us cast ours."

Alana C:

"Call an election and let's be done with the bullshit. Australians really don't care about your squabbles, we want you to do your damn job. You know, the one we work our asses off to pay you to do?"

Travis N:

"Call a general election NOW and don't make any binding decisions or policies. Let the people have their say, not just Parliament closed-door meetings."

Henry S:

"They're all idiots and they should call an election so we can get a government that functions into power ASAP."

But others want Mr Morrison to start governing instead

Photo: Some of you just want him to get on with the job. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Nicole F says she hopes Mr Morrison puts the best interests of the nation first:

"Put aside all this nonsense of turf wars, dramatic leadership takeovers and opposition for opposition's sake."

Ceridwen B wants Mr Morrison to stay put:

"No more leadership spills. Be strong and make us proud to be Australian. Make us world leaders in science and innovation, climate and sustainability."

Luke S, a 17-year-old high school student, wants him to get on with running the country:

"All I see is political kerfuffle. I'm utterly disgusted in the amount of prime ministers that have come and gone over the past seven years."

And Rachel R says she just wants our leaders to do the job they're getting generously paid for:

"If the Liberal Party needs to split into separate new parties or become a party that fully supports the agenda together, please do this expediently.

And there's not much appetite for a repeat of the past week either … or the past 10 years, for that matter

Andrew P hasn't been impressed:

"Trying to explain to my seven-year-old why our nation's leaders behave worse than children has been an exercise in despair."

Donna C called it the saddest day for Australian politics:

"The Liberals have just lost my vote. The demeaning of the office of PM has to stop. If your own party cannot respect the office, then how do you expect the Australian people to respect it?

Lisa P said "congratulations", but went on to say...

"The first and most important thing you should do is legislate so that this farcical waste of taxpayers' money and time can never occur again."

Erica R said it hadn't just been a bad week:

"I'm sick and tired of the flip-flopping between leaders and parties over the last 10+ years."

And Jet M called Australian politics since the departure of John Howard disgusting:

"You should all be ashamed. From Kevin Rudd to Scott Morrison and all the leaders in between … just plain disgusting … SHAME."

Photo: Some of you haven't been impressed by the leadership merry-go-round since John Howard left office. (Alan Porritt: AAP)

Meanwhile, Mr Morrison also has his fans and well-wishers

Stuart M said he was pleased with the unexpected result:

"In the interest of stability, I think Mr Morrison should call an early election. However, as with most leaders of any party, he is likely to continue so he can try and build up the reputation of the Liberal Party so that it can withstand an election."

Eleanor W offered:

"The best of luck to Mr Morrison, hopefully he can unite the party. Well done and congratulations. Don't call an election yet — let the dust settle to shore up your policies and establish your place."

And Jennifer M said she was very pleased with the choice of leader:

"If he delivers, I could vote Liberal, which I haven't done since John Howard. He appears to be a decent man."

Topics: government-and-politics, federal-government, federal-parliament, liberals, australia

First posted August 24, 2018 15:08:40