Malcolm Turnbull Will Challenge Tony Abbott for the Prime Ministership

For the second time this year, members of the Australian government have asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott to step aside. After question time today Federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull formally requested a leadership ballot, intending to replace Tony Abbott as prime minister. Deputy Leader Julie Bishop is understood to have met with Turnbull earlier and backed the move.

Speaking to media in a Canberra courtyard this afternoon, Turnbull repeated a number of criticisms that he'd earlier leveled at Abbott. "[We need] a style of leadership that respects the people's intelligence," he told the waiting crowd. "We need advocacy, not slogans." Interestingly this is exactly what he said of the Prime Minister's decision to sack Philip Ruddock back in February.

Turnbull's speech lambasted Abbott's economic prowess, describing his approach to the Chinese free-trade agreement as "catastrophically reckless". He also called to end the "captain's calls" that famously instigated the first leadership challenge.

Most devastatingly, Turnbull blamed the Liberal party's ailing position in polls on their leadership. "If we continue with Mr Abbott as Prime Minister, it is clear enough what will happen. He will cease to be Prime Minister and he'll be succeeded by Mr Shorten."

He reminded reporters that the government has lost "30 Newspolls in a row", which currently sees Abbott's approval rating stand at net minus 24 as of September.

A party meeting is expected to be held tomorrow morning, which comes as Western Australia votes on a crucial by-election in the Perth seat of Canning. The Prime Minister was expected to visit over the weekend as the election was seen as a litmus test of his leadership. Malcolm Turnbull apologised over the timing, but defended his decision saying, "there are few occasions that are entirely ideal for tough calls and tough decisions like this."

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