Australia: Rebel MPs set to topple PM Turnbull
News & Trends •
turnbull who accused dutton and his supporters of bullying and intimidation on thursday said he would not contest a second leadership challenge and leave parliament although he did not put a timetable on when he would go1 australia was bracing for yet another change of prime minister friday after a revolt against malcolm turnbull by hardline conservatives in his liberal party with his near three-year reign hanging by a thread1 turnbull survived one attempt to knife him on tuesday winning a party room vote 48-35 but since then ministers have been defecting and a second letter adership challenge is likely at noon 200gmt friday1 dutton needs to prove he has majority backing or 43 signatures from within the partys parliamentary group a requirement for him to force a second crack at the top job ahead of national ok opelections due by mid-20191 reports on friday said at least 43 lawmakers were onboard for a leadership change. turnbull has asked for a verification of the signatures and has promised a meeting for voting1 former home affairs minister peter dutton an ex-police officer and right-winger has been the stalking horse seeking to unseat turnbull after a party backlash against his more moderate approach to politics1 if he moves out of politics it would spark a by-election for his sydney seat threatening the governments one-seat parliamentary majority1 even if dutton gets the numbers for a challenge there is no guarantee he will assume the top job after foreign minister julie bishop and treasurer scott morrison both turnbull allies threw their hats in the ring1 during a three-way vote whoever comes last in the first round will be eliminated with a second round taking place to decide who becomes leader1 defence industry minister christopher pyne a turnbull ally refused to say who he would be backing and hit out at elements inside his party1 i think some people should have considered the greater good of the people of australia and the government rather than their own self-interest and ambition he said1