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 thread.
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 politics.
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) Friday.
Dutton needs to prove he has majority backing, or 43 signatures from within the party’s parliamentary group — a requirement for him to force a second crack at the top job ahead of national Ok opelections due by mid-2019.
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 voting.
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 go.
If he moves out of politics, it would spark a by-election for his Sydney seat, threatening the government’s one-seat parliamentary majority.
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 ring.
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 leader.
Defence industry Minister Christopher Pyne, a Turnbull ally, refused to say who he would be backing and hit out at elements inside his party.
“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 said.
