Turnbull confirms that he will seek the leadership of the Liberal party with Julie Bishop as deputy saying the country needs ‘advocacy, not slogans’ and that if Abbott continues as prime minister, Bill Shorten will win the next election. Follow events live with Katharine Murphy

• Malcolm Turnbull’s speech in full: ‘We need a new style of leadership’
• Full report: Malcolm Turnbull takes on Tony Abbott for the Liberal leadership

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/sep/14/tony-abbotts-...

Mr Malcolm Turnbull has launched a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The Government is in turmoil as both camps count the numbers to see whether Mr Turnbull has enough support to topple Mr Abbott.

Mr Turnbull's supporters believe he has the numbers to win a ballot, and he has secured the support of Deputy Liberal Leader Julie Bishop, which is considered crucial.

It is understood Ms Bishop met the Prime Minister before Question Time to tell him he had lost significant support from the ministry.

After Question Time, Mr Turnbull quit Cabinet and told Mr Abbott he would challenge for the leadership before calling a snap media conference.

"A little while ago I met with the Prime Minister and advised him that I would be challenging him for the leadership of the Liberal Party," Mr Turnbull said.

"Now this is not a decision that anyone could take lightly. I have consulted with many, many colleagues, many Australians, many of our supporters in every walk of life."

Read more:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/liberal-leadership-malcolm-turnbul...

Tony Abbott (north shore) says he will win the battle — but he will loose the next election... He says that it should be the Australian public to decide the leadership of this country... So Mr Abbott show up what you're made of... CALL AN EARLY ELECTION... so we can whip your arse...

Turnbull is Vaucluse...

Former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett has slammed Malcolm Turnbull for "gross disloyalty" and "extreme egotism" after he announced he would challenge Tony Abbott for the Liberal Party leadership.

Mr Kennett said he was "profoundly disappointed" and was not hearing that Mr Turnbull had the numbers to change the Liberal Party leadership.

"I'm not hearing anything at all, nor am I seeking to find out. I am profoundly disappointed," he told ABC News 24.

"This act by Malcolm Turnbull is one of gross disloyalty, extreme egotism and he is, without a doubt, the Kevin Rudd of the Liberal Party."

Mr Kennett said Mr Turnbull was not a team player.

read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/jeff-kennett-slams-malcolm-turnbull/6775228

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I think Kennet should see that "the team" is being hit 20-nil by the opposition because his CONservative party is led by a useless deceitful dishonest puppet... Kennett should see that Abbott is a dangerous clown... Kennett should see that the amount of turdy cock-ups, fucups and idiotic lack of vision is not a good look for a country like Australia... It's time for Abbott to pack his bags and shoof off... But should Abbott win, it will be another sorry sad stupid day for this country going downhill into darker days...

A win for Abbott would be a bonus for the Labor Party...

54 to 44 to Turnbull

70 to 30 to Julie Bishop

Annabel Crabb tells us that Turnbull is downsizing to Kirribilli...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpTIwLehLTE&feature=youtu.be

and 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx17MkzWqUw&feature=youtu.be

Several Nationals MPs, "disgusted" with the way Tony Abbott has been treated, are threatening they will not work as part of a Coalition Government unless certain demands are met.

Many senior Nationals deeply dislike Malcolm Turnbull over the way he acted on carbon pricing when opposition leader in 2009, while others are pushing for the party to abandon its ministerial positions and become more independent in the Parliament.

MPs and senators have told the ABC the socially conservative Nationals should not rush into a new Coalition agreement with Mr Turnbull and want their leader Warren Truss to do policy deals, or get extra cash, to help regional Australia.

"These clowns [the Liberal Party] are making us look like a failed Pacific Island state — why would we want to immediately associate ourselves with them?" one complained immediately following Mr Turnbull's victory.

"It's time to ask, could we get a better deal on our own?"

The party meets this morning to discuss a strategy.

read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/nationals-furious-with-abbotts-ousting-put-turnbull-on-notice/6775950

Hey you !... The combine harvester R M Williams hat and boot wheat shaft eating lot ! Tony Abbott WAS AN EMBARRASSMENT to this fair country. He only got in and survived because of the MMMMM (merde-och mediocre mass media de mierda). Malcolm Turnbull may not be the best alternative, but he is not an EMBARRASSMENT.

Good people of Canning, still give that creationist Liberal idiot candidate a canning like one never got before to give a warming to Malcolm. 

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced her resignation from the cabinet. 

Her move came as new Prime Minister Scott Morrison prepares to announce his new cabinet after winning a bruising leadership contest on Friday.

Ms Bishop said she had not yet decided whether to stand at the next general election, due in 2019. 

She had sought the prime minister's job after Malcolm Turnbull stood aside, but was eliminated in the first round.

The leadership fight also ended her 11-year tenure as deputy leader of the Liberal Party.

The 62-year-old from Western Australia has been a federal politician for two decades. 

"I will remain on the backbench as a strong voice for Western Australia," she said. 

• A PM felled by revolts and revenge

• "Who needs Game of Thrones?" - Australians react to political chaos

Last week's leadership crisis arose after Mr Turnbull came under pressure from poor polling and what he described as an "insurgency" by conservative MPs.

The Liberal-National coalition government has only a one-seat majority in parliament, and Labor is ahead in opinion polls, with an election to be held at some point before May 2019.

Peter Dutton, a conservative and former home affairs minister, had unsuccessfully challenged Mr Turnbull on Tuesday, but his narrow defeat only stoked further discord.

Read more:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-45312707

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