Liberal politician Luke Simpkins has announced he will move a spill motion against the Prime Minister on Tuesday.
The office of Chief Government Whip Philip Ruddock, the party’s longest serving MP, confirmed that the request has been received and is working out arrangement for a spill to be considered when the Parliament resume next week.
In a statement, Mr Ruddock said that the request called for the senior positions of the party would be declared vacant and Prime Minister Tony Abbott had indicated the motion would be listed for discussion on Tuesday.
In an email to party room colleagues, circulated on social media, Mr Simpkins said he had submitted a motion to spill leadership positions within the Liberal Party.
“I think that we must bring this to a head and test the support of the leadership in the party room,” he said.
“I have therefore submitted to the Chief Government Whip a motion to spill the leadership positions of the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party.
"The spill motion should be considered via a secret ballot as the first item of business in our party room meeting.”
Mr Simpkins said fellow WA MP Don Randall has seconded the motion.
“I look forward to your support on this matter,” he said.
“It gives you all an opportunity to either endorse the Prime Minister or seek a new direction.”
“I have no front bench ambitions… I do this because I believe it is in the best interests of the people of our country.”
The move comes after days of leadership speculation in the wake of Tony Abbott's decision to nominate Prince Philip for a knighthood.
Mr Abbott addressed media prior to the announcement on Friday, saying that he intended to lead his party for another five years.
He told media he refused to “play the usual Canberra insider games” when asked about potential for a spill, instead emphasising his strong relationships with the likes of his deputy Julie Bishop.
“Julie and I have been friends and colleagues for a long time now,” he said.
“We support each other. I have a good team. We are friends, we trust each other, we work together.
“We’ve done it for five years and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing for five years to come.”
Mr Abbott was also asked about a reported meeting with former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull, saying that he meets with colleagues “all the time”.
“We are going to get on with government next week,” he said.
“I’m certainly expecting that we will have a strong and constructive party room meeting next Tuesday.”
Both Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop have told media that they will not challenge for the leadership, with the latter saying on Tuesday that she was “not campaigning for the job of Prime Minister”.
With Catherine McGrath.
