Liberal leadership - the story so far

THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP: THE STORY SO FAR

* Two West Australian Liberal MPs - Luke Simpkins and Don Randall - submit a motion to spill the leadership of the parliamentary Liberal Party amid increasing concerns about Tony Abbott's leadership and damaging opinion polls.

* Abbott brings forward to Monday a scheduled partyroom meeting at which the motion would have been considered. Says it is best to deal with the issue as quickly as possible and "put it behind us". Warns his colleagues that dragging down a first-term prime minister would reduce the Liberal Party to Labor's level.

* Potential leadership contender Malcolm Turnbull labels the PM's decision a "captain's call".

* Prominent Liberal backbencher Terese Gambaro suggests the PM's decision smacks of belligerence and hubris.

* Former assistant treasurer Arthur Sinodinos says MPs should be given time to discuss the matter at hand. "Tuesday is the time to do that," he says.

* Turnbull says any MP - whether they are a minister or backbencher - can stand for the vacant leadership without being disloyal.

* Abbott stands by Joe Hockey amid reports senior Liberals advised him to replace the treasurer with Turnbull to save his leadership.

* A Galaxy poll, published on Sunday, has Labor leading the coalition 57-43 per cent. With Turnbull as PM, the margin narrows to 51-49 per cent.