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Australia PM Abbott face leadership challenge from Turnbull Australia PM Abbott face leadership challenge from Turnbull
(35 minutes later)
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is being challenged for the leadership by senior cabinet minister Malcolm Turnbull. Australian PM Tony Abbott is being challenged for the leadership by senior cabinet minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Mr Turnbull, long considered a major challenger to the PM, visited Mr Abbott's office on Monday afternoon requesting a ballot for the top job. Mr Turnbull, long considered a major challenger to the PM, and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop visited Mr Abbott's office on Monday afternoon requesting a ballot for the top job.
The challenge comes seven months after Mr Abbott survived one party challenge to his leadership.The challenge comes seven months after Mr Abbott survived one party challenge to his leadership.
He has been plagued by poor opinion polls and a hostile upper house.He has been plagued by poor opinion polls and a hostile upper house.
Mr Turnbull, who has now resigned from his position as communications minister, is expected to hold a press conference soon. At a press conference in Canberra, Mr Turnbull said if Mr Abbott remained as leader the coalition would lose the next election.
He and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop on Monday asked Mr Abbott to hold the ballot, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported. 'Advocacy not slogans'
He said Australia needed a different style of leadership that explained to the public the challenges faced by the nation.
"We need advocacy not slogans," he said, taking a swipe at Mr Abbott's public habit of repeating phrases such as "stop the boats" numerous times in press conferences.
"A style of leadership that respects the people's intelligence, that explains these complex issues and then sets out the course of action we believe we should take and makes a case for it.
"We need to respect the intelligence of the Australian people.
"If we continue with Mr Abbott as prime minister, it is clear enough what will happen. He will cease to be prime minister and he'll be succeeded by [opposition Labor leader Bill] Shorten."
A challenge had been expected later this year, particularly if Mr Abbott's Liberal Party performed poorly at a by-election for the seat of Canning in Western Australia, this weekend.A challenge had been expected later this year, particularly if Mr Abbott's Liberal Party performed poorly at a by-election for the seat of Canning in Western Australia, this weekend.
It is up to Mr Abbott - who has yet to comment on the challenge - to decide when and if a ballot is held.