Scott Morrison is the new Prime Minister of Australia

Friday, 24 August 2018 10:53

By Taylah Strano

The Liberal party has elected Scott Morrison as the new party leader.

Scott Morrison has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Australia. Josh Frydenberg will be the deputy Liberal leader.

The Member for Cook is now the 30th Prime Minister of Australia.

Scott Morrison won the ballot 45 votes to 40.

Julie Bishop was the first to bow out of the leadership race.

Outgoing Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has now stepped down from the role and is expected to quit politics all together.

EARLIER THIS MORNING:

The Solicitor General said Peter Dutton is not in breach of the constitution and would be allowed to continue to sit in parliament and run for the leadership.

Mr Dutton was at risk of being disqualified from his seat under Section 44 of the constitution, in relation to childcare centres owned and run by his wife.

Bookies were divided on the preferred Prime Minister, with half putting Julie Bishop ahead of Peter Dutton and vice versa.

Mr Turnbull demanded 43 Liberal members sign a petition to hold a party room meeting today. The signatures were delivered to him by Peter Dutton this morning.

In an unprecedented move Mr Turnbull then demanded the signatures be verified before the party room meeting was held around midday Canberra time.

EARLIER THIS WEEK:

On Tuesday Peter Dutton challenged Malcolm Turnbull for the leadership role. He lost 35 votes to 48.

Julie Bishop maintained her spot as deputy leader.

On Thursday Mr Dutton announced he would attempt a second leadership spill.

Malcolm Turnbull announced he would step aside with treasurer Scott Morrison to run on the ballot against Mr Dutton.

Late on Thursday it was announced deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop would also run for the top job.