News Digest

Australian PM Abbott defiant as MPs call for leadership vote

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was fighting for his job Wednesday after backbenchers publicly called for a Liberal Party leadership challenge following months of tensions stoked by fading poll numbers and policy backflips. A handful of MPs openly revolted late Tuesday against the conservative leader, whose recent decision to make Britain’s Prince Philip a knight helped bring simmering anger to the surface. But Abbott was quick to hit back Wednesday, brushing aside concerns and vowing to hold steady. West Australian MP Dennis Jensen was the first to say the prime minister had to go.

I don’t think the leader and his office are listening and communicating effectively. I believe that it is necessary that this is brought to a head and lanced.

West Australian MP Dennis Jensen

Abbott has said he would not step down despite severe criticism of his decision to bestow a knighthood on Prince Philip on Australia Day, January 26. The ridicule that greeted the appointment to the Order of Australia incensed his own MPs — who were already dealing with plunging poll numbers, policy backflips and an unpopular budget. Abbott’s Liberal-National coalition romped to power in a September 2013 election but now trails the opposition Labor Party 46 to 54 percent, while Abbott’s preferred prime minister rating has dived to just 34 percent, a Fairfax-Ipsos poll showed Monday.

I am determined to deliver steady, stable, solid, dependable government and that’s what I’m going to do, every day.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, when asked if his leadership was “terminal”