Dutton resigns from frontbench after losing leadership challenge

Peter Dutton (kulia) na Malcolm Turnbull (kushoto) kabla ya Dutton kuwania wadhifa wa waziri mkuu dhidi ya Waziri Mkuu Malcolm Turnbull Source: AAP

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has held on as leader defeating Peter Dutton by 13 votes in a party room vote.

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has emerged victorious in a sudden Liberal leadership ballot, seeing off Peter Dutton in a 48-35 split of Liberal party members. 

Mr Dutton has now resigned his powerful position as Home Affairs minister and will move to the backbench, in keeping with the tradition of cabinet solidarity.

The move will prompt a cabinet reshuffle, with the crucial portfolio in charge of Immigration, the federal police and Australia's lead intelligence agencies now up for grabs.