Abott to step down as Australian PM

Malcom Turnbull defeated Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Monday’s election for the leadership of the Australian Liberal Party.

Turnbull, a leader of the party and communications minister, polled 54 votes ahead of Abott’s 44.

He had earlier said the government was doomed to defeat with Abbott at the helm.

“Ultimately, the prime minister has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs,” he told reporters.

“He has not been capable of providing the economic confidence that business needs.”

He also said the coalition government would lose the next election if Abbott remained in office.

Turnbull is expected to be sworn in after Abbott writes to the governor general to tender his resignation.

An advocate of gay marriage, he led the Liberal Party in opposition from 2008-2009 – but lost a leadership challenge to Abbott by one vote.

He will be Australia’s fourth prime minister since 2013.

Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard was ousted by rival Kevin Rudd in a leadership vote in June 2013 – months before a general election that Tony Abbott’s Liberal Party won.

Gillard herself ousted Mr Rudd as prime minister in 2010.