Peter Dutton has spoken to Malcolm Turnbull, and asked him to call a special party room meeting where he would again challenge for the leadership.
It’s understood the Prime Minister turned him down.
In a Tweet, Mr Dutton said he had told Mr Turnbull he believed the majority of the party room no longer supported his leadership.
Mr Dutton told reporters he was sure he had the numbers.
“I wouldn’t have contacted the prime minister if I didn’t believe we had majority support in the party room,” Mr Dutton said.
It comes after a night where two ministers have resigned, and another National MP has threatened to move to the crossbench if there’s a second leadership challenge, as the government crisis grows and Mr Turnbull tries to stare down the Peter Dutton forces.
Assistant ministers and Dutton backers, Michael Sukkar and Zed Seselja, have confirmed they’ve quit the ministry after voting for Mr Dutton in Tuesday’s ballot.
And National Kevin Hogan says he’ll move to the crossbench if there’s another ballot.
Mr Hogan says he’d continue to support a Coalition government in any motion of confidence and on supply matters, but it sends a message to those pushing for a spill.
Mr Dutton told the Prime Minister he no longer had the support of the party room. (AAP)
Mr Hogan said he’d seen too much dysfunction and leadership turmoil over the last 10 years.
“This is a statement I need to make,” Mr Hogan said.
“People are fed up with the circus we see in Canberra. This inside the bubble circus.”
Turnbull supporter, Trent Zimmerman, said he’s seen no mood for a second ballot.
“We all need to resolve to leave this place today unified and working for the Australian people, not navel gazing,” he said.
“We have to accept the outcome of (Tuesday’s) party room ballot.”
Mr Zimmerman said the public was in “complete bemusement” about what’s going on.
“The Prime Minister has very strong (public) support.”
The Dutton backers are trying desperately to get enough signatures on a letter to Malcolm Turnbull, to prove he’s lost the party room, and has no choice but to call a second ballot.
Mr Turnbull’s supporters say if the numbers aren’t there, there’s no need.
Queensland MP Jane Prentice last night said there were only nine names on the letter, and she hadn’t signed.
Others 9NEWS have spoken to, accuse the Dutton camp of a campaign of misinformation and lies, to create a sense of chaos, and try to bring the issue to a head, and tear down Malcolm Turnbull.
All eyes are on Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, a good friend of Peter Dutton, but so far loyal to Malcolm Turnbull.
Sources say if Mr Cormann switches, it’s all over for the Prime Minister.
Mr Cormann, maybe tellingly, has remained silent since lunch time yesterday, when he pledged support for Malcolm Turnbull.
- 9News Australia
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018
