"Seriously, if Turnbull was opposition leader, would the coalition lose any votes? I doubt it. The extremists would go to One Nation etc, but the votes would come back as preferences. But he would win votes from Labour voters and Green voters."
It seems blindingly obvious FW. But can he get the numbers and if so, best not to soon. A yesr or so out would give him time to set his agenda, but not to much to get bogged down in. It would be a bit like Hawke coming in over Bill Hayden. Make it an absolute certainty, assuming the ALP keep botching it like they have post the GFC.