BFF-01 Australia PM says challenger submits petition to oust him

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ZCZC

BFF-01

AUSTRALIA-POLITICS-PETITION

Australia PM says challenger submits petition to oust him

SYDNEY, Aug 24, 2018 (AFP) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said
Friday he has received a petition showing he has lost the majority support of
his Liberal Party, triggering a vote on electing a new leader.

“I have just been provided with a request for a meeting of the
Parliamentary Liberal Party. It has 43 signatures,” he tweeted.

“As soon as they are verified by the whips, which should not take long,
the meeting will be called.”

Turnbull has said he will not stand in the contest, meaning the next prime
minister will be either Peter Dutton, who submitted the letter, Foreign
Minister Julie Bishop or Treasurer Scott Morrison.

BSS/AFP/RY/07:42 hrs