Australian PM Abbott survives leadership spill motion

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has won a Liberal Party verdict on his leadership by 61 votes to 39 in a dramatic threat that saw angry federal MPs try to install a new Prime Minister.

The forces lined up against the Prime Minister secured more votes than many expected in a sure sign the government’s leadership fight will continue.

Abbott won support from cabinet ministers and many others to stare down a “backbench revolution” sparked by his recent decisions, forcing him to promise big changes to his governing style.

Liberals saw Malcolm Turnbull as the clear candidate to replace Abbott if the spill succeeded but the Communications Minister did not declare his candidacy, waiting instead to see the will of the backbench.

While some ministers may have voted against Abbott, the size of the vote for the spill could indicate that more than half the backbench wants a change in leader and direction.

There are 102 in the partyroom but one, Ross Vasta, was not at the meeting because his wife has just given birth. One member of the partyroom voted informal.

The partyroom includes 35 Liberal ministers and parliamentary secretaries obliged by convention to support the Prime Minister.

Many of the remaining 67 members of the Liberal backbench backed the spill motion moved by Luke Simpkins and seconded by Don Randall, both from Western Australia.

Those who publicly spoke in favour of the motion included Sharman Stone, Dennis Jensen, Andrew Laming and Arthur Sinodinos, an influential figure given his long service as chief of staff to John Howard before becoming a Senator.

Abbott had warned his colleagues of the risk of change but some MPs had spoken up for the spill motion on the grounds that the government needed a debate to consider alternative leaders.

Queensland MP Wyatt Roy told The Australian he supported the spill motion because the party he would vote for the spill.

“I think our party room needs to hear from all potential candidates on their visions for the future of the government and the country,” Roy said on Sunday night.

Roy had wanted several senior figures — not only Abbott but also Turnbull, Bishop and Social Services Minister Scott Morrison — to set out their ideas.

“It’s a very bad day for Tony Abbott, there’s no doubt about it,” former Howard government minister Peter Reith told Sky News.

 Reith said a “serious number” of the ministry would peel away from Abbott because the vote against him was so high, ensuring the threat to the Prime Minister would continue.

SOURCE: THE AUSTRALIAN