Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull will soon face a leadership challenge, with Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton the main challenger.
The Liberal partyroom is still locked in a closed-door meeting, but SBS News understands the prime minister declared the leadership vacant to force challengers to declare their intentions.
Mr Dutton has reportedly put his hand up as a candidate.
It remains unclear if there will be other challengers. Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop arrived at the meeting with Mr Turnbull.
The government’s Senate leader Mathias Cormann arrived slightly later than the prime minister. Senator Cormann is a friend of Mr Dutton who regularly accompanies him on morning walks during sitting weeks in Canberra.
The Coalition’s whip Nola Marino will announce the results of the leadership ballot in a courtyard at Parliament House later today.
Earlier, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tried to quell tension within party ranks by abandoning plans to legislate emissions reduction targets.
But the move has failed to silence conservative critics within the Coalition.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the backflip showed his successor was willing to abandon his core beliefs.
“What we want to know is, where are this prime minister's convictions?” Mr Abbott told reporters outside Parliament House on Monday evening.
“We always thought that he was convicted on climate change issues. I think he probably still is. And it was a conversion of convenience this morning.”
The Liberal partyroom will meet on Tuesday amid growing speculation the Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton is considering a leadership challenge.
More to come.
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