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PM Turnbull's ministers quit amid chaos

A host of Turnbull government frontbenchers have resigned since Tuesday's Liberal leadership ballot, including conservative heavyweight Mathias Cormann.

Michaelia Cash, Mathias Cormann and Mitch Fifield.
Michaelia Cash, Mathias Cormann and Mitch Fifield have announced they won't back Malcolm Turnbull. (AAP)

TURNBULL MINISTERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED: 13

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* Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged his challenger to stay on, but ultimately accepted his resignation.

* Finance Minister and conservative heavyweight Mathias Cormann. Tendered resignation on Thursday morning, effectively ending Mr Turnbull's prime ministership.

* Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash. Joins Senator Cormann in announcing the withdrawal of her support for Mr Turnbull and resigning from the frontbench.

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* Communications Minister Mitch Fifield. Announces his resignation on Thursday beside senators Cormann and Cash.

* Health Minister Greg Hunt. Announces he tendered resignation with prime minister on Thursday morning amid speculation he will run as Dutton's deputy in a leadership spill.

* Human Services Minister Michael Keenan. Offered resignation, but later issued statement of support for the prime minister. Resigns with a "heavy heart" on Thursday.

* Trade Minister Steve Ciobo. Offered resignation, which was not accepted. Later issued a call for unity to defeat Labor at the next election. Resignation confirmed on Thursday.

* Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge. Resigns on Thursday saying there is no longer support for Turnbull.

* Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor. Quits citing concerns about the direction of the government on Thursday.

* International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Believes the party has moved too far away from conservative voters. Mr Turnbull accepted her resignation on Tuesday.

* Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath. Resignation initially not accepted by Mr Turnbull. But the senator insisted and he stepped down on Wednesday.

* Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar. Tendered resignation on Tuesday but not accepted. Resignation confirmed on Thursday.

* Assistant Science, Jobs and Innovation Minister Zed Seselja. Offered on Tuesday but not accepted. Resignation confirmed on Thursday.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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