How the rising threat to Turnbull unfolded

FRIDAY

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

SATURDAY

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

SUNDAY

* 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

* Turnbull supporters insist he's safe.

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

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

TUESDAY

* 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

* Dutton launches a media campaign calling for a royal commission into fuel and energy prices and scrapping the GST from electricity prices.

* He refuses to rule out a second leadership challenge.

* Turnbull, flanked by Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Comrann, 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's 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

* A meeting on Wednesday night is ruled out but speculation mounts of another challenge on Thursday.