How it came to this: Timeline of the Liberal leadership challenge
Monday night’s leadership challenge is the fifth Australia has endured in the last five years.
We take a look at Tony Abbott’s time as Australian Prime Minister and how his leadership has lead to another challenge.
Australia Day and the Prince Philip knighthood: Saturday January 31
The Prime Minister announced that Prince Philip would be awarded a knighthood of the Order of Australia. The decision was widely condemned and seen by many as out of touch. Abbott said the decision was a "captain's call" and it was his choice. It would prove to be a misstep.
Queensland election results: Monday February 2
Queensland Liberal Jane Prentice was left reeling from election results that saw a first-term Liberal-National government lose its massive majority in the state. Prentice refused to endorse Abbott’s leadership.
Abbott’s National Press Club speech: Tuesday February 3
Abbott addressed the National Press Club and said only voters should have the power to "hire and fire" him. He warned of making a difficult situation worse if the party gave in to short term fears. Later in the day Queensland backbencher Andrew Lamming said he would put forward a private members bill to abolish the knights and dames honours system.
Liberal Party MPs break rank: Wednesday February 4
Two more Liberal Party members break rank and declare Abbott no longer had their support. West Australian MP Dennis Jensen said the party couldn’t continue with Abbott at the helm. Queensland MP Mal Brough also said Abbott no longer had his unconditional support, highlighting the medicare co-payment policy.
Former assistant treasurer Arthur Sinodinos speaks out: Thursday February 5
Former assistant treasurer and party power broker Arthur Sinodino confirms his support for Abbott wasn’t unconditional. When he was asked if he thought Abbott would remain as prime minister he said "ask me next week".
Trade Minister Andrew Robb warns against spill: Friday February 6
Trade Minister Andrew Robb acknowledged the government had made mistakes and surprised voters with the budget including controversial policies like the Medicare copayment and university deregulation. Robb, like several backbenchers, argued that the prime minister needed to be given more time to show he was responding to backbenchers’ concerns.
Spill motion moved: Saturday February 6
Education Minister Christopher Pyne said counting room party numbers was an "inexact science" and that he hoped Abbott would be prime minister "next Wednesday". Later in the day West Australian MP Luke Simpkins announced he would move a spill motion, and fellow West Australian MP Don Randall (now deceased) said he would second it.
Speculation runs rampant: Sunday February 8
Tony Abbott, Julie Bishop and deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss make a united appearance in Townsville. Abbott said he anticipated the spill motion to bring on a leadership ballot would fail, adding that Australia did not want to see a government “turn into some kind of Game of Thrones”. Bishop said she would vote against a spill motion.
Spill vote brought forward: Sunday February 8
Abbott announced he would move the party room meeting a day forward. In another brief press conference he said that the “last thing Australia needs right now is instability and uncertainty”. Sinodinos criticised the decision to move the spill motion forward. He then said he would vote in favour of the motion to bring on the spill.
Queensland MP Teresa Gambaro said that the party can no longer be governed in an “internal climate of fear and intimidation”. Then communications minister Malcolm Turnbull provoked further speculation about whether or not he would run for the leadership if the spill motion succeeds.
Leadership challenged by Malcolm Turnbull: Monday September 14
Less than a week out from the crucial Canning by-election, Malcolm Turnbull sought an audience with the prime minister to tell him emphatically he would challenge for his job in a spill motion. He resigned from his ministry and from the Cabinet before breaking the news to the public. That meeting followed deputy party leader Julie Bishop telling Abbott he no longer had her support.
Supporters from both camps lined up to front the media, warning against the sort of instability that dogged the previous Labor government.
By 10pm, the Liberal Party voted to install Turnbull as prime minister, 54 votes to 44.
