Turnbull crisis: Ten frontbenchers offer resignation as second challenge looms

Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership crisis has deepened with 10 of his frontbenchers offering to resign after voting for Peter Dutton in yesterday’s secret ballot.

Among them are three Cabinet ministers, including Health Minister Greg Hunt, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo and Human Services Minister Michael Keenan.

Mr Turnbull has not accepted most of the resignations, but the show of support for Mr Dutton is seriously damaging to the Prime Minister’s leadership.

The former home affairs minister has switched to the backbench after losing the party room vote by 48 votes to 35.

9NEWS understands Zed Seselja, Alan Tudge, Angus Taylor, Michael Sukkar, James McGrath have also offered to resign.

Mr Turnbull accepted the resignation of International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells after she wrote a strongly-worded letter about the party drifting too far to the left.

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 Mr Dutton has refused to rule out another leadership challenge after quitting the Cabinet.

Nine political editor Chris Uhlmann said this morning there was a ‘feral atmosphere’ in the corridors of Canberra.

Some Liberal MPs believe Mr Dutton's failed challenge is the beginning of the end of Mr Turnbull's prime ministership, and there may be another leadership ballot before the week is out.

Nationals MP Darren Chester says frontbenchers would consider moving to the crossbench if Mr Dutton was successful in a spill.

“There’s certainly a cohort of my colleagues who are concerned about the direction this is taking and they’re reserving their options,” he said.
“All options are on the table at the moment.”

The move would strip the Coalition of its majority in the House of Representatives, and put the government in danger of collapse.

“There’s no reason why any potential challenger should assume they command the numbers on the floor of the House of Representatives,” Mr Chester said

TURNBULL MINISTERS WHO HAVE OFFERED TO RESIGN

Cabinet

- Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged his challenger to stay on, but ultimately accepted his resignation.
- Human Services Minister Michael Keenan. Offered resignation, but later issued statement of support for the prime minister.
- Trade Minister Steve Ciobo. Offered resignation, which was not accepted. Later issued a call for unity to defeat Labor at the next election.
- Health Minister Greg Hunt. Reportedly would have run for deputy had Mr Dutton won the challenge. His resignation offer has not been accepted.

Outer Ministry

- International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Believes the party has moved too far away from conservative voters. Mr Turnbull accepted her resignation.
- Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor. Mr Turnbull has not accepted his resignation.

Assistant ministers

- Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar. Resignation not accepted by the prime minister.
- Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath. Mr Turnbull has not accepted his resignation.
- Assistant Science, Jobs and Innovation Minister Zed Seselja. Prime minister has not accepted his resignation.

- With AAP