Scott Morrison emerges as next Australian Prime Minister

The Liberal party room has spoken and Australia will have its seventh PM in 11 years, with Malcolm Turnbull stepping down as Prime Minister following a leadership challenge.

Scott Morrison.

Scott Morrison. Source: AAP

Scott Morrison is set to be Australia's Prime Minister after being elected Liberal leader in a tense party room meeting on Friday.

The motion to force a spill was carried 45 to 40 votes.

Former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop all emerged as leadership rivals this week ahead of Friday's party room meeting. 

 

All three nominated for the leadership position in the party room meeting, with Ms Bishop, who was deputy, eliminated first.

Mr Dutton was the first to declare his candidacy, demanding a second ballot after losing to Mr Turnbull by seven votes on Tuesday.

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Then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media earlier this week.

AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Mr Turnbull earlier pledged to quit the parliament altogether if the spill motion succeeded and SBS News understands he intends to quit parliament immediately.

This will trigger a by-election in his Sydney seat and threaten the government's slim one-seat majority in the House of Representatives.

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Julie Bishop was eliminated from the leadership race first. AAP

 


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