Peter Dutton demands second leadership challenge
Peter Dutton has told Malcolm Turnbull he has the majority support of the Liberal party room and wants to challenge him again.
The ex-Home Affairs Minister lost a challenge 48 votes to 35 on Tuesday but now wants to have another go at toppling his leader.
“A few minutes ago I spoke with Malcolm Turnbull to advise him I believed the majority of the party room no longer supported his leadership,” Mr Dutton tweeted on Thursday.
Mr Turnbull has so far declined the request to hold the meeting.
A few minutes ago I spoke with Malcolm Turnbull to advise him I believed the majority of the party room no longer supported his leadership. Accordingly, I asked him to convene a party room meeting at which I would challenge for the leadership of the Parliamentary Liberal Party.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) August 22, 2018
Mr Turnbull on Tuesday declared the leadership vacant before successfully seeing off a challenge from Mr Dutton, drawing 48 votes to his 35.
It is believed Mr Dutton is now confident he has the numbers to force an extraordinary partyroom meeting and ultimately claim the leadership.
He has also released the legal advice which he says makes clear he is eligible to sit in parliament after questions were raised over his family’s business interests in two childcare centres.
BREAKING NEWS: crisis meeting with Coalition leadership team currently underway in the Prime Minister's office. #7News #libspill #auspol
— Jennifer Bechwati (@jenbechwati) August 22, 2018
Questions have been raised if he could be in breach of section 44 of the constitution, which bans from parliament anyone who has “any direct or indirect pecuniary interest with the public service of the Commonwealth.”
It is understood Turnbull allies, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Marise Payne, are now meeting with the prime minister in his office.
Two more ministers quit
Two more federal government ministers have also formally resigned to support Mr Dutton’s bid to overthrow Mr Turnbull.
Assistant ministers Michael Sukkar and Zed Seselja have refused the Prime Minister’s offer to remain on in their positions, throwing their weight behind Mr Dutton ahead of a looming second leadership challenge.
The pair have followed Mr Dutton, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and James McGrath from the front bench.
The defiant Prime Minister, who has arrived at Parliament House early Thursday morning, is holding on to his leadership with support from his two key lieutenants, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.
“The iron laws of arithmetic confirmed my leadership of the Liberal Party,” Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
Oops .. flag flying upside down outside Peter Dutton’s electorate Office.. #notagoodsign #spill #Libspill2 pic.twitter.com/ItKBahkvoO
— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) August 22, 2018
