Timeline: How the rising threat to Turnbull unfolded

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has endured a tumultuous week that could culminate in a second leadership challenge by Peter Dutton.

Scott Morrison, right.

Source: AAP

Thursday, 16 August

Peter Dutton says he will quit cabinet if he gets to a point where he cannot agree with government policy.

Friday, 17 August

* Malcolm Turnbull weighs up significant changes to the National Energy Guarantee amid speculation about his leadership, including dumping the legislated emissions target.

Saturday, 18 August

* Dutton tweets his support for the prime minister and the policies of the government.

Sunday, 19 August

* Cabinet meets at parliament to discuss changes to energy policy.

* A Fairfax/Ipsos poll shows the coalition's primary vote has dropped from 39 to 33 in a month and Labor leads the coalition 55-45 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

Monday, 20 August

* The PM drops the 26 per cent emissions cut target from NEG legislation.

* Turnbull says Dutton has given "absolute support" to him.

Tuesday, 21 August

* Turnbull calls a spill and is challenged by Dutton, who loses 48-35.

* Dutton resigns from cabinet.

* A slew of ministers offer resignations but Turnbull only accepts Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Dutton.

Wednesday, 22 August

* Dutton refuses to rule out a second challenge, launching a media campaign calling for a royal commission into fuel and energy prices and the scrapping of the GST from electricity prices.

* Turnbull, flanked by Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, dumps corporate tax cuts after the plan was voted down in the Senate.

* Turnbull also ditches plans to axe an energy supplement paid to welfare recipients.

* Morrison hugs Turnbull and says he is ambitious for his leader while also slapping down Dutton's GST idea.

* Cormann says he supports the prime minister.

* A petition to force a Liberal partyroom meeting is circulated.

* Cormann, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash visit Turnbull to tell him he no longer has the support of the majority of the party room.

* Turnbull accepts the resignation of his assistant minister James McGrath.

Thursday, 23 August

* Junior minister Zed Seselja and Michael Sukkar resign from the frontbench.

* Cormann, Fifield and Cash again visit the prime minister to tell him he has lost support. They urge him to call a partyroom meeting.

* Dutton demands a second leadership spill after telling Turnbull he has the support to become PM.

* Cormann, Fifield and Cash pull their support for Turnbull and resign from cabinet.

* Turnbull says Liberal MPs need to see the advice from the solicitor-general on the eligibility of Dutton after reports he could be in breach of the constitution over his stake in two childcare centres.

* If the advice gives Dutton the all-clear, Turnbull will hold a partyroom meeting. He will then move a spill motion and quit parliament if it succeeds.

Friday, 24 August

* Julie Bishop and Scott Morrison emerge as challengers for the Liberal leadership.

* The solicitor-general releases advice that likely clears Dutton to stay in parliament.

* A petition is signed by a majority of Liberal MPs calling for a partyroom meeting.


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3 min read
Published 24 August 2018 1:09pm
Updated 24 August 2018 1:20pm


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