Six ministers 'voted against Abbott in leadership spill ballot'

At least six ministers voted against Tony Abbott in yesterday's party room motion to spill his leadership, according to reports.

On Sunday night, the prime minister had received 70 pledges of support from MPs promising to vote against the motion.

But the count confirmed only 61 votes in the secret ballot on Monday, suggesting that nine MPs either lied to him or changed their minds at the last minute, reports News Corp, citing a "minister close to the PM".

Those who broke ranks reportedly include at least six ministers.

After the spill motion failed 61 votes to 39, Mr Abbott declared "I've listened, I've learnt and I've changed".

MPs who back Malcolm Turnbull for PM, Abbott’s presumed challenger for the top job, have agreed to hold back from any further leadership pushes until after the federal budget in May.