2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills

{{main|Turnbull government}}

The Liberal-National Coalition won office under the leadership of Tony Abbott in the 2013 Australian federal election.{{cite news|title=Abbott government sworn in|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/abbott-springs-into-action-on-day-one/story-e6frfku9-1226721414578|access-date=18 September 2013|publisher=news.com.au|date=18 September 2013|archive-date=18 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918042010/http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/abbott-springs-into-action-on-day-one/story-e6frfku9-1226721414578|url-status=dead}} The Abbott government was brought down by an internal party room challenge, launched by Malcolm Turnbull in September 2015, in which Turnbull won 54 votes of the Liberal Party room to 44 and the Turnbull government became the executive government of Australia.

Turnbull cited Newspoll results and "economic leadership" as reasons for mounting his challenge against Abbott.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/malcolm-turnbulls-full-press-conference/6774744 |title=Liberal leadership: Malcolm Turnbull's press conference announcing challenge to Tony Abbott|work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=15 September 2015 }} Under the slogan "jobs and growth," Turnbull led the Coalition to the 2016 election in which their majority in the House of Representatives was reduced to one seat.{{cite news|url=http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-11/lnp-retains-capricornia-has-76-seats/7587578|title=Election 2016: LNP retains Capricornia, gives Coalition 76-seat majority government|date=11 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}

Turnbull's ousting of Abbott had divided the Liberal Party rank and file and tensions continued in the parliamentary Party.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-10/liberal-party-owes-abbott-an-enormous-debt-turnbull-says/6843816 NSW Liberals groan as Malcolm Turnbull tells gathering party is not ruled by factions, new PM praises Tony Abbott]; Australian Broadcasting Corporation; 10 October 2015[http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/jeff-kennett-attacks-malcolm-turnbull-for-selfinterest-and-lack-of-courage-20160308-gne4e3.html Jeff Kennett attacks Malcolm Turnbull for 'self-interest' and lack of courage]; The Sydney Morning Herald; 9 March 2016[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-04/kevin-andrews-says-remarks-on-leadership-ambitions-hypothetical/7298256 Kevin Andrews says remarks about challenging Turnbull for leadership 'hypothetical']; Australian Broadcasting Corporation; 5 April 2016 The Government reached the 30-consecutive-Newspoll-losses benchmark Turnbull had used to unseat Abbott, in April 2018.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/newspoll/prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-hits-30-straight-newspoll-losses/news-story/386d5f79a71c6de3184bc60f6b225399 Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hits 30 straight Newspoll losses]; www.theaustralian.com.au; April 18, 2018 The government suffered by-election losses in July 2018.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-30/malcolm-turnbull-authority-diminished-after-byelections/10050660 Malcolm Turnbull's authority diminished after by-election failures]; www.abc.net.au; 30 July 2018 Dissent from conservative MPs over issues such as energy prices and immigration levels grew during Turnbull's final months. On 21 August, Turnbull announced a leadership spill ahead of his 39th consecutive Newspoll loss.

Leadership spills have become a common feature of Australian federal politics in the twenty-first century (particularly in the 2010s and the late 2000s). As of 2022, only Liberal Prime Ministers John Howard and Scott Morrison have served full terms since the 1983 election, with their terms ending in 2007 and 2022 respectively.{{cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/dutton-v-turnbull-is-the-latest-manifestation-of-the-splintering-of-the-centre-right-in-australian-politics-101888 |title=Dutton v Turnbull is the latest manifestation of the splintering of the centre-right in Australian politics |work=The Conversation |last=Manwaring |first=Rob |date=21 August 2018}}{{Cite news |last=AP |date=2022-04-10 |title=Australia PM Scott Morrison first to serve full term in 15 years |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/australia-pm-scott-morrison-first-to-serve-full-term-in-15-years-122041000138_1.html |access-date=2022-05-22}}

File:Malcolm Turnbull announces home affairs portfolio 2017 (cropped).jpg in July 2017]]

Turnbull had been a Minister in the Howard government and first led the Coalition in Opposition upon challenging his predecessor Brendan Nelson for the role of Opposition Leader in a 2008 spill. After extended poor Newspoll results against the Rudd government, he lost the leadership in the wake of the Utegate affair and a Party dispute over climate policy.

Tony Abbott defeated Turnbull for the Leadership in a 2009 spill, and led the party to a narrow loss in the 2010 election and to government in the 2013 election. Abbott included Turnbull in his Cabinet, from where Turnbull launched his leadership challenge in September 2015, becoming the first Liberal since William McMahon to assume the Prime Minister-ship by challenging an incumbent {{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}.

As of January 2018, voters were split in polls for preferred leader of the Liberal party between Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop. Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton each had around 5% support.{{cite news |title=Peter Dutton for prime minister! |url=https://insidestory.org.au/peter-dutton-for-prime-minister/ |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=Inside Story |date=12 January 2018}} In April 2018, Dutton outlined his desire to lead the Liberal party in the future,{{cite news |last1=Smee |first1=Ben |title=Peter Dutton: 'Some leaders fall into the trap of abandoning principles' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/07/peter-dutton-liberal-party-home-affairs-minister |access-date=22 August 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=6 April 2018 |language=en}} and Morrison also revealed prime ministerial ambitions.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |last2=Hutchens |first2=Gareth |title=Morrison and Dutton vie to succeed Turnbull should PM's job fall vacant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/09/scott-morrison-and-peter-dutton-vie-to-succeed-turnbull-should-job-fall-vacant |access-date=22 August 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=9 April 2018 |language=en}}

Peter Dutton had been a Minister during the Howard government in 2004 and to the Cabinet in the Abbott government in 2013

Given the poor performance by the Liberal National Party of Queensland (the Queensland branch of the Liberal Party) in the Longman by-election on 28 July 2018, Dutton, who holds the neighboring seat of Dickson, was viewed{{by whom|date=August 2018}} as a leader who could strengthen support for the Coalition in regional Queensland.{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/news/politics/peter-dutton-the-former-copper-who-could-become-our-next-prime-minister-20180819-h146te |title=Peter Dutton, the former copper who could become our next prime minister |work=The Australian Financial Review |last=Ludlow |first=Mark |date=20 August 2018}}

Dutton had also been seen as a leading figure among the conservative wing of the Liberal Party, which had clashed with Turnbull and his more moderate supporters over the National Energy Guarantee (NEG), particularly with targets to reduce carbon emissions in compliance with the Paris Agreement, among other issues in mid-2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2018/aug/18/all-eyes-on-dutton-as-conservatives-fuel-coalitions-crisis-of-confidence |title=All eyes on Dutton as conservatives fuel Coalition's crisis of confidence |work=The Guardian |last=Murphy |first=Katharine |date=18 August 2018}} Conservative supporters of Dutton included Tony Abbott, who was ousted by Turnbull as party leader and prime minister in September 2015. In the days prior to the leadership spills, Turnbull was forced to make concessions on the NEG in an attempt to satisfy the more conservative members of his party, most notably abandoning the emissions reduction targets,{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/chaos-and-confusion-labor-led-jurisdictions-blast-turnbull-over-emissions-backdown-20180820-p4zykx.html |title='Chaos and confusion': Labor-led jurisdictions blast Turnbull over emissions backdown |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |last=Hannam |first=Peter |date=20 August 2018}} despite the possibility of winning votes for the NEG from Labor.{{cite news |title=Australia isn't alone: Hyper-partisanship is killing two great democracies |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-23/hyper-partisanship-is-killing-two-great-democracies/10152542 |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=ABC News |date=23 August 2018 |language=en-AU}} Tony Abbott characterized Turnbull's concessions on the NEG as a "conversion of convenience".{{Cite episode |title=A Form of Madness |url=https://iview.abc.net.au/show/four-corners/series/0/video/NC1803H029S00 |access-date=29 August 2018 |series=4 Corners |series-link=Four Corners (Australian TV program) |author=Brissenden, Michael |author2=Milligan, Louise |network=ABC |date=27 August 2018 |minutes=5:10 }}

On 19 August 2018, Dutton declared that he supported Malcolm Turnbull and the policies of the government.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/18/pm-has-my-support-dutton-backs-turnbull-as-government-reshapes-neg|title='PM has my support': Dutton backs Turnbull as Abbott renews Neg attack|first=Katharine|last=Murphy|date=18 August 2018|website=the Guardian|access-date=22 August 2018}} However, support had been growing for a conservative Liberal Party member, often Dutton specifically, to challenge Turnbull since 2017, especially when Turnbull performed poorly against the Labor Party in opinion polls.{{cite web|url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/02/24/abbott-turnbull-its-on-but-theres-a-third-player/ |title=Abbott-Turnbull: it's on, but there's a third player |date=24 February 2017 |last=Keane |first=Bernard |work=Crikey}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/peter-dutton-could-be-your-next-prime-minister-20170227-gulw2q.html |title=Peter Dutton could be your next prime minister |date=27 February 2017 |last=Street |first=Andrew P. |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/why-everyones-talking-about-a-libspill-after-nightmare-newspoll-result/news-story/d077e2b961528908eb602ec5520b3027 |title=Why everyone's talking about a #LibSpill after nightmare Newspoll result |date=9 April 2018 |last=Reynolds |first=Emma |work=news.com.au}} In the weeks leading up to the poll, Dutton made contradictory remarks regarding his intentions. He refused to rule out his interest in becoming prime minister during a Hack interview,{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/peter-dutton-on-triple-j-hack/10038564 |title=Peter Dutton tells Hack he'd "close Manus Island tomorrow" if he could |work=Hack |date=26 July 2018 |last=Tilley |first=Tom}} and claimed that he would resign from cabinet if he ever found himself unable to agree with a government policy during a 2GB interview.{{cite web|url=https://www.2gb.com/peter-dutton-insists-hes-a-team-player-and-wont-bag-the-prime-minister-out/ |title=Peter Dutton insists he's a 'team player' and won't 'bag the Prime Minister out' |work=2GB |date=16 August 2018 |last=Hadley |first=Ray}} The day before this, The Daily Telegraph had published an exclusive story stating that Dutton would challenge for the prime minister-ship.{{Cite episode |title=A Form of Madness |url=https://iview.abc.net.au/show/four-corners/series/0/video/NC1803H029S00 |access-date=29 August 2018 |series=4 Corners |series-link=Four Corners (Australian TV program) |author=Brissenden, Michael |author2=Milligan, Louise |network=ABC |date=27 August 2018 |minutes=2:40 }}

A poll commissioned by GetUp! on the Monday prior to the spill found that nearly half the Australian electorate would be less likely to vote for the Coalition if Dutton became prime minister.{{cite news |last1=Smee |first1=Ben |title=Liberal leadership: half of electorate less likely to vote for Peter Dutton as PM |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/21/liberal-leadership-half-of-electorate-less-likely-to-vote-for-peter-dutton-as-pm |access-date=22 August 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=21 August 2018 |language=en}} On the same day, Network Ten reported that Dutton might be ineligible under Section 44 of the Australian constitution, due to an "indirect pecuniary interest", similar to Bob Day's case.{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Peter Dutton's business interests could disqualify him from parliament, experts suggest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/20/peter-duttons-business-interests-could-disqualify-him-from-parliament-experts-suggest |access-date=22 August 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=20 August 2018 |language=en}} That evening, Luke Howarth told Craig Laundy that he planned to ask Turnbull to step down from the leadership the following day.{{cite news |title=What two billionaire media moguls had to do with the Liberal leadership spill |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/liberal-leadership-spill-rupert-murdoch-kerry-stokes-influence/10262552 |access-date=18 September 2018 |work=ABC News |date=18 September 2018 |language=en-AU}}

In the hours leading up to the spill itself, newspapers reported speculation that Greg Hunt might challenge Julie Bishop for the Deputy Leadership of the Liberal Party in the event that Dutton won the vote.{{cite web|author=Michelle Grattan |url=http://theconversation.com/turnbull-holds-off-dutton-challenge-for-now-by-48-35-101886 |title=Turnbull holds off Dutton challenge – for now – by 48-35 |publisher=Theconversation.com |date=21 August 2018 |access-date=23 August 2018}} However, due to Dutton failing to gain the support of the party, Bishop was the sole contender for the Deputy Leadership.{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/news/peter-duttons-backers-vow-its-not-over-for-malcolm-turnbull-20180820-h148mw|title=Peter Dutton's backers vow it's not over for Malcolm Turnbull|work=Australian Financial Review|date=21 August 2018|first=Phil|last=Coorey}}

{{Infobox election

|election_name = First 2018 Liberal Party of Australia
leadership spill

|flag_image = Liberal-Party-of-Australia-stub.svg

|type = presidential

|vote_type = Caucus

|ongoing = no

|previous_election = September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill

|previous_year = 2015 (Sept)

|next_election = 2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills#Second spill (24 August)

|next_year = 2018 (Aug 24)

|election_date = 21 August 2018

|image1 = File:Malcolm Turnbull PEO (cropped).jpg

|candidate1 = Malcolm Turnbull

|colour1 = 0047AB

|popular_vote1 = 48

|percentage1 = 57.8%

|image2 = File:Peter_Dutton_at_Parliament_House_cropped.jpg

|candidate2 = Peter Dutton

|colour2 = 0047AB

|popular_vote2 = 35

|percentage2 = 42.2%

|1blank = Seat

|2blank = Faction

|1data1 = Wentworth (NSW)

|2data1 = Moderate

|1data2 = Dickson (Qld.)

|2data2 = Conservative

|map_image = 21 August 2018 Liberal leadership spill.png

|map_caption = Results by state

|title = Leader

|before_election = Malcolm Turnbull

|after_election = Malcolm Turnbull

}}

A regularly scheduled Liberal party room meeting was held at 9:00 am AEST on 21 August.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-21/politics-live-malcolm-turnbull-in-partyroom-meeting/10146280|title=Live: Turnbull sees off Dutton challenge, but leadership turmoil to continue|date=21 August 2018|work=ABC News (Australia)|access-date=21 August 2018}} Shortly after it began, Turnbull declared the party leadership vacant, forcing a leadership spill be held, likely acknowledging the speculation that Dutton had intended to challenge Turnbull for the leadership. Dutton nominated for the ballot. The position of deputy party leader, held by Julie Bishop, was also declared vacant.

Shortly after the secret ballot, party whip Nola Marino announced that Turnbull had won the challenge, with 48 members of the federal Liberal Party caucus voting for him, while 35 voted for Dutton. Bishop retained her role as deputy leader unopposed. Senator Arthur Sinodinos was absent for the vote due to illness.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/21/liberal-leadership-dutton-turnbull-energy|title=Dutton resigns after Turnbull survives Liberal leadership spill 48-35 – politics live|first1=Amy|last1=Remeikis|first2=Gareth|last2=Hutchens|first3=Katharine|last3=Murphy|first4=Christopher|last4=Knaus|date=21 August 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 August 2018}}

Jonathon Duniam refused to announce who he voted for,{{cite news|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/news/national/5599602/leadership-spill-how-your-tasmanian-liberal-senators-voted/|title=Leadership spill: How your Tasmanian Liberal senators voted|agency=Fairfax Tasmania|date=21 August 2018|work=The Examiner|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822050051/https://www.examiner.com.au/news/national/5599602/leadership-spill-how-your-tasmanian-liberal-senators-voted/|archive-date=22 August 2018|url-status=dead}} and conflicting media reports attributed him as voting for either Turnbull (Fairfax) or Dutton (News Corp). There were also conflicting reports on Ian Goodenough's vote. News Corp included Duniam and Goodenough as voters for Dutton, whereas The Sydney Morning Herald's list included Sussan Ley and Craig Kelly as Dutton voters. Kelly confirmed that he had voted for Dutton.{{Cite news|work=2GB|title=Liberal MP Craig Kelly confirms he voted for Peter Dutton in leadership spill|date=21 August 2018|url=https://www.2gb.com/exclusive-liberal-mp-craig-kelly-confirms-he-voted-for-peter-dutton-in-leadership-spill/}}

Despite initial conflicting reports over whether he would retain a cabinet position, Dutton resigned from his role as Minister for Home Affairs and became a backbencher. Treasurer Scott Morrison was later announced as the acting Home Affairs Minister.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/politics-live-malcolm-turnbull-to-face-party-room-as-peter-dutton-considers-leadership-challenge-20180821-p4zyp4.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=21 August 2018 |title=Scott Morrison to take over home affairs after Turnbull survives leadership spill – politics live}}

On 22 August, Dutton spent several interviews discussing his policies if he were to be elected leader of the Coalition, including scrapping the GST on electricity, which Scott Morrison described as "an absolute budget blower".{{cite news |title=Senior ministers stand by Turnbull as Dutton plotters sharpen knives |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-22/malcolm-turnbull-leadership-crisis-deepens/10149440 |access-date=22 August 2018 |work=ABC News |date=22 August 2018 |language=en-AU}} Dutton also floated the idea of having a royal commission into electricity companies.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/22/malcolm-turnbull-fights-to-hold-cabinet-together-as-dutton-hits-airwaves-politics-live?page=with:block-5b7cb03de4b0fbb2e0993632#block-5b7cb03de4b0fbb2e0993632][https://www.afr.com/politics/peter-duttons-75b-gst-power-pledge-a-budget-blower-scomo-20180822-h14anm][https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/22/peter-dutton-says-he-will-challenge-malcolm-turnbull-again-if-he-can-win]

Doubts surrounding Dutton's eligibility to be elected to parliament continued to be discussed, on the grounds of section 44(v) of the Australian Constitution. The section prohibits those with a pecuniary interest in an agreement with the Commonwealth from running for office. The family trust of which Dutton is a beneficiary-operated child care centre that received over $5.6 million in funding from the Commonwealth Government. A similar scenario with a Commonwealth-funded building company saw Senator Bob Day effectively disqualified by the High Court in 2017. Although Dutton had received legal advice stating that he was not in breach of the constitution, Attorney-General Christian Porter referred the matter to the Solicitor-General of Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-refers-dutton-s-eligibility-to-solicitor-general-20180822-p4zyy6.html |title=Government refers Dutton's eligibility to Solicitor-General |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=22 August 2018 |last1=Loussikian |first1=Kylar |last2=McCauley |first2=Dana}}

Although Turnbull won the leadership ballot, the revelation that 35 of his party colleagues did not support his leadership was widely regarded as cause for concern, especially since Turnbull had been governing with a narrow one-seat parliamentary majority since the 2016 election, and given his predecessor Tony Abbott also won a spill motion before ultimately losing another leadership spill to Turnbull himself.

Following the party room meeting, several government ministers reaffirmed their support for Turnbull, including Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester. Chester and fellow Nationals MP Kevin Hogan stated that if Dutton became prime minister, they would leave the Coalition and join the crossbench, which would rid a Dutton government of its narrow parliamentary majority.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/23/turnbull-dutton-liberal-canberra-chaos-spill |title=Peter Dutton calls for second leadership spill amid chaos in Canberra – politics live |work=The Guardian |date=23 August 2018 |last=Knaus |first=Christopher}}

After the first spill, there was a suggestion that Turnbull could call the next Australian federal election to stop a further leadership challenge, but this was discounted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation election analyst Antony Green as "far-fetched".{{cite news |title=How and when to call the next federal election |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-22/the-when-and-how-of-calling-the-next-federal-election/10153686?section=politics |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=ABC News |date=22 August 2018 |language=en-AU}}

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott was criticised for his role in fostering disunity within the Liberal Party and the Coalition. National Party MP Damian Drum called on Abbott to resign,{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-21/coalition-mp-calls-for-tony-abbott-to-quit-federal-parliament/10145006 |title=Tony Abbott should quit Federal Parliament, Coalition MP says amid leadership speculation |work=ABC News (Australia) |last=Iggulden |first=Tom |date=21 August 2018}} while Queensland Liberal MP Warren Entsch reportedly criticised Abbott directly at the party meeting.

As well as Dutton, Assistant Minister to the Treasurer Michael Sukkar, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath, Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Angus Taylor, Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation Zed Seselja, Minister for Human Services Michael Keenan, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge, Minister for Health Greg Hunt, and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo offered their resignations in response to Turnbull retaining the leadership.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-21/politics-live-malcolm-turnbull-sees-off-peter-dutton-challenge/10146280|title=As it happened: Leadership turmoil continues after Turnbull beats Dutton in leadership vote|date=21 August 2018|website=abc.net.au|access-date=22 August 2018}} At first, only Dutton's resignation was accepted. By 23 August, the resignations of Fierravanti-Wells, McGrath, Seselja, and Sukkar had also been accepted, and those former ministers joined Dutton on the backbench.

During question time on 21 August, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten moved to suspend standing orders in order to move a motion of no confidence in the House of Representatives against Turnbull. Leave was granted by the government but the no confidence motion failed with 76 votes against and 67 in favour. All Coalition MPs, the Centre Alliance's Rebekha Sharkie, and Independent Cathy McGowan voted against, while all present Labor MPs, the Australian Greens' Adam Bandt, and Independent Andrew Wilkie voted in favour.{{cite web|work=The Guardian|title=Crossbenchers won't confirm they will guarantee supply under Dutton|date=21 August 2018|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/21/crossbenchers-wont-confirm-they-will-guarantee-supply-under-dutton}}

The second stage of the Coalition's corporate tax cut package was rejected by the Senate.{{cite news |title='You are there to govern for the people', business leaders tell Canberra |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-22/politics-this-week-is-bad-for-business/10153692 |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=ABC News |date=22 August 2018 |language=en-AU}}

Labor and the Greens failed to stop an expansion of the Cashless Welfare Card trial.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Emma |title=Labor and Greens fail to stop cashless welfare trial in WA Goldfields |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/labor-and-greens-fail-to-stop-cashless-welfare-trial-in-wa-goldfields-20180822-p4zz0f.html |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=WAtoday |date=22 August 2018 |language=en}}

Kelly O'Dwyer cancelled a meeting of state and territory ministers for Women.{{cite news |last1=Knaus |first1=Christopher |last2=Karp |first2=Paul |title=Turnbull digs in and demands Dutton show evidence of support - politics live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/23/turnbull-dutton-liberal-canberra-chaos-spill?page=with:block-5b7e4db2e4b0b69fd6c54880#block-5b7e4db2e4b0b69fd6c54880 |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=23 August 2018}}

Labor attempted to move a motion to refer Peter Dutton's eligibility as an MP to the High Court, in a similar manner to referrals made during the recent parliamentary citizenship crisis in which several members of parliament resigned after discovering their dual citizenship status, violating section 44 of the Constitution of Australia. The motion failed 69 votes to 68.{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/labor-s-dutton-court-check-push-defeated|title=Labor's Dutton court check push defeated|date=23 August 2018|agency=Australian Associated Press|access-date=23 August 2018|work=SBS News}}

On 23 August, Senate Opposition Leader Penny Wong moved a motion of no confidence in the Senate, which failed with 35 votes against and 31 in favour. All present Coalition Senators, both One Nation Senators, the Australian Conservatives' Cory Bernardi, the Liberal Democratic Party's David Leyonhjelm, the Katter's Australian Party's Fraser Anning, the Justice Party's Derryn Hinch, and Independent Tim Storer voted against, while all present Labor and Greens Senators voted in favour, and both Centre Alliance Senators abstained.{{Cite news|work=Nine News|title=Government survives no-confidence motion|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/08/23/14/45/labor-senators-seek-no-confidence-motion|date=23 August 2018}}

With up to 13 Ministers having resigned amidst the crisis, the government moved to adjourn the lower house of Parliament on 23 August, shortly before Question Time was scheduled to begin. The adjournment motion was controversial and vigorously opposed by Labor, whose leader Bill Shorten labelled it "the ultimate admission of surrender of a bankrupt government."{{cite news |title='Australia no longer has a functioning government': Shorten slams Coalition decision to adjourn lower house |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-no-longer-has-a-functioning-government-shorten-slams-coalition-decision-to-adjourn-lower-house-20180823-p4zz9p.html |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=23 August 2018 |language=en}} The adjournment motion passed by 70 votes to 68.

Simon Birmingham acted as the Leader of the Government in the Senate for Question time on 23 August. He, Nigel Scullion, Marise Payne and Bridget McKenzie took on questions related to portfolios of multiple former ministers.{{cite news |last1=Knaus |first1=Christopher |title=Turnbull digs in and demands Dutton show evidence of support - politics live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/23/turnbull-dutton-liberal-canberra-chaos-spill?page=with:block-5b7e3088e4b0447fbe85e742#block-5b7e3088e4b0447fbe85e742 |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=23 August 2018}}

Also on 23 August, the Senate voted to investigate Peter Dutton's handling of two visa decisions relating to au pairs.{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Lisa |title=Senate inquiry to investigate Peter Dutton's au pair visa decision |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/23/labor-to-refer-peter-duttons-au-pair-visa-decision-to-senate-inquiry |access-date=29 August 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=23 August 2018 |language=en}}

{{Infobox election

|election_name = 2018 Liberal Party of Australia Leadership spill motion

|flag_image = Liberal-Party-of-Australia-stub.svg

|type = presidential

|vote_type = Caucus

|ongoing = no

|previous_election = 2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills#First spill (21 August)

|previous_year = 2018 (Aug 21)

|next_election = 2022 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election

|next_year = 2022

|election_date = 24 August 2018

|image1 = 120px

|candidate1 = Spill motion

|colour1 = 0047AB

|popular_vote1 = 45 (52.9%)

|image2 = File:Malcolm_Turnbull_PEO_(cropped).jpg

|candidate2 = Malcolm Turnbull

|colour2 = 0047AB

|popular_vote2 = 40 (47.1%)

|1blank = Seat

|2blank = Faction

|1data2 = Wentworth (NSW)

|2data2 = Moderate

|title = Leader

|before_election = Malcolm Turnbull

|after_election = Vacant

}}

On the morning of Thursday, 23 August, Dutton challenged Turnbull's leadership a second time. Initially, Turnbull refused to call a spill, but later that morning key Turnbull supporters withdrew their support, most notably Mathias Cormann, Michaelia Cash and Mitch Fifield, who tendered their resignations and claimed that Turnbull lacked the support of the majority of the party room.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-23/live-peter-dutton-poised-to-challenge-malcolm-turnbull-again/10155008 |title=Malcolm Turnbull allies jump ship, saying numbers now favour Peter Dutton|last1=Sweeney |first1=Lucy |last2=Belot |first2=Henry |date=23 August 2018 |work=ABC News (Australia)|access-date=23 August 2018}} Several other ministers also confirmed their resignations. At 12 noon AEST on 23 August, following the resignation of a significant portion of the front bench, the Government won a vote in the House of Representatives to adjourn Parliament, with 70 votes to 68. Parliament had been scheduled to adjourn later that day, with the next sitting day to be held on 10 September.

One hour later, Turnbull addressed the media and said that he would call a party room meeting if he sighted a petition signed by a majority of party members (i.e., 43 members) calling for a spill. Turnbull suggested that the party room meeting could be called for 12 noon the next day, on 24 August, once he had seen both the petition and an advice from the Solicitor-General on Dutton's eligibility. He said that in the event of a second spill, he would resign rather than take part in any ensuing leadership ballot, as he would consider such the petition to be a sign that he no longer had the support of the party room. The Solicitor-General's advice, released publicly a few hours before the party room meeting, found that Dutton was "not incapable" of sitting as a member of parliament, but that there is still "some risk" the High Court might find he has a conflict of interest, which could disqualify him from sitting in parliament.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/24/solicitor-general-says-dutton-not-incapable-of-sitting-but-high-court-may-find-conflict-of-interest|title=Solicitor general says Dutton 'not incapable' of sitting but high court may find conflict of interest|work=The Guardian|date=24 August 2018}} In relation to the request for a petition, Eric Abetz, a Dutton supporter, claimed that in the past a party room meeting could be called with only two signatures.{{cite news |title=Dutton camp demands PM call meeting to set up three-way leadership battle |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-24/malcolm-turnbulls-fate-sealed-in-liberal-leadership-showdown/10156222 |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=ABC News |date=24 August 2018 |language=en-AU}}

A petition signed by 43 Liberal Party members calling for a spill was delivered to Turnbull on Friday, 24 August.{{cite web|url=http://abc.net.au/news/2018-08-24/the-liberal-mps-that-sparked-the-spill/10161660|work=ABC News|date=24 August 2018|title=Malcolm Turnbull asked to see who wanted him out — here are the Liberal MPs that signed on}}{{Efn|The signatories, in order of signing, were: Andrew Hastie, Tony Pasin, Sussan Ley, Craig Kelly, Michael Sukkar, Kevin Andrews, Tony Abbott, Ian Goodenough, Nicolle Flint, Peter Dutton, Amanda Stoker, Jonathon Duniam, David Bushby, James Paterson, Eric Abetz, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, James McGrath, Jim Molan, Slade Brockman, Dean Smith, Jane Hume, Mitch Fifield, John McVeigh, David Fawcett, Mathias Cormann, Michaelia Cash, Karen Andrews, Greg Hunt, Steven Ciobo, Angus Taylor, Alan Tudge, Michael Keenan, Andrew Wallace, Scott Buchholz, Jason Wood, Ross Vasta, Luke Howarth, Rick Wilson, Ted O'Brien, Zed Seselja, Andrew Laming, Ben Morton, and Warren Entsch.}} The petition was annotated by three petitioners. Among them, Karen Andrews wrote beside her name "because this has to be resolved", while Scott Buchholz wrote "I support the office of the Prime Minister" and Warren Entsch wrote "for Brendan Nelson" referring to the former Liberal leader who was defeated by Malcolm Turnbull in a leadership spill in 2008. While the second party room meeting was intended to occur at 12 noon AEST, there was a delay of twenty minutes as the signatures on the petition were verified by the party whip's office. Arthur Sinodinos, who was absent from the first spill due to illness, returned to Parliament to participate in the second spill and walked into the meeting alongside Turnbull.

{{Infobox election

|election_name = Second 2018 Liberal Party of Australia
leadership spill

|flag_image = Liberal-Party-of-Australia-stub.svg

|type = presidential

|vote_type = Caucus

|ongoing = no

|previous_election = 2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills#First spill (21 August)

|previous_year = 2018 (Aug 21)

|next_election = 2022 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election

|next_year = 2022

|election_date = 24 August 2018

|1blank = First ballot

|2blank = {{nowrap|Second ballot}}

|3blank = Seat

|4blank = Faction

|image1 = 150x150px

|candidate1 = Scott Morrison

|colour1 = 0047AB

|1data1 = 36 (42.4%)

|2data1 = 45 (52.9%)

|image2 = 150x150px

|candidate2 = Peter Dutton

|colour2 = 0047AB

|1data2 = 38 (44.7%)

|2data2 = 40 (47.1%)

|image3 = 150x150px

|candidate3 = Julie Bishop

|colour3 = 0047AB

|1data3 = 11 (12.9%)

|2data3 = Eliminated

|3data1 = Cook (NSW)

|3data2 = Dickson (Qld.)

|3data3 = Curtin (WA)

|4data1 = {{nowrap|Centre-Right}}

|4data2 = Conservative

|4data3 = Moderate

|map_image = 24 August 2018 Liberal leadership spill.png

|map_caption = Results by state

|title = Leader

|before_election = Malcolm Turnbull

|after_election = Scott Morrison

}}

It was reported that Turnbull had decided not to contest the ballot, and that Scott Morrison and Julie Bishop would also be running in the challenge alongside Dutton.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-leadership-crisis-dutton-forces-intensify-push-for-second-challenge-20180823-p4zz66.html|title=Liberal leadership crisis: Mathias Cormann abandons Malcolm Turnbull, sealing his fate|first=Fergus|last=Hunter|date=23 August 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=23 August 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-23/live-peter-dutton-poised-to-challenge-malcolm-turnbull-again/10155008|title=Live: Bishop enters leadership race|date=23 August 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=23 August 2018|language=en-AU}}{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Could Scott Morrison and Julie Bishop join the leadership race in a three-cornered contest? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/22/could-scott-morrison-and-julie-bishop-join-the-leadership-race-in-a-three-cornered-contest |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=22 August 2018 |language=en}} The West Australian ran an editorial saying that Turnbull should stand aside for Morrison. Morrison was widely seen as a compromise candidate, who was agreeable to both the moderate supporters of Turnbull and Bishop and conservatives concerned about Dutton's electability.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/22/could-scott-morrison-and-julie-bishop-join-the-leadership-race-in-a-three-cornered-contest|title=Could Scott Morrison and Julie Bishop join the leadership race in a three-cornered contest?|newspaper=The Guardian Australia|date=22 August 2018|access-date=24 August 2018}}

The initial motion to declare the leadership positions vacant, held at approximately 12:20 pm Canberra time, was successfully passed 45 votes to 40. As previously mentioned, Turnbull had indicated that he would consider a second spill motion as a vote of no confidence in his leadership, and he did not contest the subsequent leadership election.

The leadership spill was contested by Scott Morrison, Julie Bishop and Peter Dutton. Bishop with 11 votes was eliminated in the first round, while Morrison received 36 votes and Dutton 38 votes. The second round was between Dutton and Morrison and resulted in a victory for Morrison, 45 votes to 40. Morrison became party leader and subsequently prime minister.{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/news/liberal-leadership-spill-how-the-vote-unfolded-20180824-h14h8w|title=Liberal leadership spill: How the vote unfolded|work=The Australian Financial Review|date=24 August 2018}} Moderate MPs were privately urged against voting for Bishop, as there was concern that Cormann had arranged for some WA-based Liberals to initially vote for her, then let Morrison's voters flow to Dutton in the second round, giving him enough support to defeat Bishop. Cormann has denied doing so.{{cite news |title=WhatsApp messages reveal MPs being urged not to vote for Julie Bishop in leadership spill |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/liberal-leadership-soul-searching-continues/10166038?section=politics |access-date=26 August 2018 |work=ABC News |date=26 August 2018 |language=en-AU}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2018 Liberal Party of Australia
deputy leadership spill

| flag_image = Liberal-Party-of-Australia-stub.svg

| type = presidential

| vote_type = Caucus

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill

| previous_year = 2015 (Sept)

| next_election = 2022 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election

| next_year = 2022

| election_date = 24 August 2018

| 1blank = Seat

| 2blank = Faction

| image1 = 150x150px

| candidate1 = Josh Frydenberg

| colour1 = 0047AB

| popular_vote1 = 46

| percentage1 = 56.1%

| 1data1 = Kooyong (Vic.)

| 2data1 = Centre-Right

| image2 = 150x150px

| candidate2 = Steven Ciobo

| colour2 = 0047AB

| popular_vote2 = 20

| percentage2 = 24.4%

| 1data2 = Moncrieff (Qld.)

| 2data2 =

| image3 = 150x150px

| candidate3 = Greg Hunt

| colour3 = 0047AB

| popular_vote3 = 16

| percentage3 = 19.5%

| 1data3 = Flinders (Vic.)

| 2data3 = Centre-Right

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Julie Bishop

| after_election = Josh Frydenberg

}}

Bishop did not contest the deputy leadership spill, which occurred after the leadership spill. Josh Frydenberg won a majority in the first round with 46 votes, while Steven Ciobo received 20 and Greg Hunt received 16.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/crowedm/status/1032848125298262016|title=The vote for deputy leader:
Josh Frydenberg: 46 votes
Steve Ciobo: 20 votes
Greg Hunt: 16 votes
There were 3 abstentions|publisher=Twitter|author=David Crowe|work=Fairfax Media|date=24 August 2018}}

{{See also|Morrison government}}

As the leader of the Liberal Party and subsequently of the Coalition, Scott Morrison was invited to form a government and was sworn in as the 30th Prime Minister of Australia, a few hours after the leadership spill.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/scott-morrison-sworn-in-as-australia-s-30th-prime-minister|title=Scott Morrison sworn in as Australia's 30th prime minister|work=SBS News|date=24 August 2018}} On the same day Josh Frydenberg, elected as the party's deputy leader, was sworn in as Treasurer.

On the day that the vote was announced, National MP Kevin Hogan made good on his earlier promise and moved to the crossbench. However, he maintained his National membership and continued to sit in the National party room. He also promised to support the Coalition on confidence and supply.{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/independent-mps-refuse-to-give-morrison-guarantees-of-confidence/news-story/760eeb176b7be3a1836c4791a539b898|title=Independent MPs refuse to give Morrison guarantees of confidence|author1=Rosie Lewis|newspaper=The Australian|date=25 August 2018}}

Turnbull notified after his ouster as Liberal leader that he intended to resign from parliament, forcing a by-election to replace him in his Sydney seat of Wentworth.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/23/turnbull-dutton-liberal-canberra-chaos-spill?page=with:block-5b7e45a1e4b0bdafc1624c91#block-5b7e45a1e4b0bdafc1624c91|title=Turnbull digs in and demands Dutton show evidence of support - politics live|last1=Knaus|first1=Christopher|date=23 August 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 August 2018|last2=Karp|first2=Paul}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-24/liberal-leadership-when-we-will-know-who-is-prime-minister/10157806|title=How will a new prime minister be chosen and when we will know?|date=24 August 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=23 August 2018|language=en-AU}} His departure meant a drop in the Coalition to 74 seats.

The first Newspoll after the spill had Labor on 56 percent of the two-party vote to the Coalition's 44 percent. Bill Shorten became the preferred prime minister in the Newspoll for the first time since 2015.{{cite news |last1=Thomsen |first1=Simon |title=Newspoll just delivered the verdict on the new Morrison government after last week's spill - and it's brutal |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/newspoll-leadership-spill-disaster-2018-8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826151900/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/newspoll-leadership-spill-disaster-2018-8 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 August 2018 |access-date=26 August 2018 |work=Business Insider Australia |date=26 August 2018 |language=en}} The subsequent Newspoll taken a fortnight later showed no improvement on the two-party preferred vote, which remained at 56-44 to Labor, following four consecutive 51-49s to Labor prior to the spill.

On 29 August Julia Banks, member for Chisholm, announced she would retire at the next election. She cited "bullying and intimidation" and the leadership spills as "the last straw" for her decision.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-29/julia-banks-not-re-contesting-seat-at-next-federal-election/10177360 |title=Liberal MP Julia Banks not contesting next federal election, says leadership spill was 'the last straw' |first1=Matthew |last1=Doran |first2=Lucy |last2=Sweeney |date=29 August 2018 |work=ABC News |access-date=29 August 2018}} Lucy Gichuhi threatened to name MPs who bullied during the spill, furthermore stating that she was asked during her preselection in June 2018 if she thought Turnbull was the right person to lead the Liberal party.{{cite news |title=Liberal senator Lucy Gichuhi threatens to name leadership spill bullies |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-03/lucy-gichuhi-threatens-to-name-liberals-who-bullied-her/10196432 |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=ABC News |date=3 September 2018 |language=en-AU}} Gichuhi was subsequently assured by Scott Morrison that the bullying would be dealt with and it was later clarified, at least publicly, that the bullying was not in direct connection to the leadership spill.{{cite news |title=Liberal senator Lucy Gichuhi won't reveal bullies' names|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/liberal-senator-lucy-gichuhi-won-t-reveal-bullies-names|work=SBS News|date=11 September 2018|access-date=21 May 2019|language=en}} Brian Loughnane and Chris McDiven, were appointed to review the Liberal party's state branches' processes for handling complaints, but there was no investigation into individual complaints.{{cite news |last1=Hartcher |first1=Peter |title='How about he rings?': PM's woman problem hits peak farce |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/how-about-he-rings-pm-s-woman-problem-hits-peak-farce-20181129-p50j8b.html |access-date=1 December 2018 |work=The Age |date=30 November 2018 |language=en}}

On the evening of 3 December 2018, Scott Morrison introduced a new threshold to trigger a Liberal leadership change in government, requiring two-thirds of the party room vote to trigger a spill motion. The change was introduced at an hour long evening special caucus meeting. Morrison said the changes, which were drafted with feedback from former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott, would only apply to leaders who lead the party to victory at a federal election.{{cite news |title=Scott Morrison summons Liberal MPs to after-hours meeting to pass changes to leadership spill rules |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-03/liberal-party-passes-leadership-spill-rules/10579172 |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=3 December 2018 |language=en-AU}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{-}}

{{Liberal Party of Australia}}

{{Leadership spills in Australia}}

Category:2018 in Australian politics

Category:2018 elections in Australia

Category:August 2018 in Australia

Category:Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills

Category:Morrison government

Category:Scott Morrison

Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills