The life of Tony Abbott as Liberal leader

TONY ABBOTT'S TIME AS LIBERAL LEADER:

* December 1, 2009: Abbott beats incumbent Malcolm Turnbull by one vote following leadership spill. Elected Liberal leader.

* March, 2010: Abbott announces paid parental leave scheme to pay six-months salary to new parents up to $150,000.

* June 24, 2010: Julia Gillard replaces Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister in leadership ballot.

* August 21, 2010: Coalition and Labor win 72 seats resulting in hung parliament. Gillard forms minority government. Abbott remains opposition leader.

* June 26, 2013: Rudd takes back the prime ministership from Gillard.

* September 7, 2013: Abbott elected prime minister. Coalition wins 90 seats to Labor's 55.

* May 13, 2014: Joe Hockey hands down first budget, which includes unpopular measures such as a GP co-payment, university deregulation and cuts to welfare spending.

* July 1, 2014: New Senate forms. Coalition must secure six of eight crossbench votes, or the Greens or Labor, to pass legislation.

* July 17, 2014: Carbon tax repealed on third attempt after negotiations with Palmer United Party senators.

* November 29, 2014: Napthine coalition loses government in Victoria, blamed partially on Abbott's government.

* January 26, 2015: Abbott awards knighthood to Prince Philip, draws widespread criticism, admits move was a "stuff-up".

* January 31, 2015: Newman government suffers devastating defeat in Queensland despite Abbott steering clear of election campaign. Media commentators blame Abbott.

* February 2, 2015: Abbott drops his signature paid parental leave scheme

* February 9, 2015: Abbott survives leadership spill, 61-39 with no challenger declared. Spill motion put by Western Australian MPs Luke Simpkins and Don Randall.

* February 9, 2015: PM declares good government starts today.

* March 3, 2015: Government dumps GP co-payment plan but leaves replacement options open.

* March 17, 2015: Senate blocks university deregulation legislation for a second time.

* March 10, 2015: Abbott controversially says indigenous Australians living in remote communities make "lifestyle choices".

* July 6, 2015: Opposition leader Bill Shorten fronts royal commission into unions over his time at the helm of the Australian Workers Union.

* July 15, 2015: Media reveals Speaker Bronwyn Bishop charters a $5000 helicopter to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser in Geelong.

* July 21, 2015: Randall dies of heart attack, triggers by-election of safe Canning seat. Polls show likely large swing away from Liberal Party

* August 2, 2015: Bishop resigns as Speaker

* August 11, 2015: Abbott confirms no conscience vote on same-sex marriage after six-hour debate, stacks partyroom with Nationals MPs.

* August 17: MPs introduce cross-party bill to legalise same-sex marriage. Turnbull backs the move.

* August 17: Government handed another double dissolution trigger after Senate blocks legislation to crack down on dodgy union bosses for a second time.

September 14: Turnbull announces intention to challenge Abbott for prime ministership, resigns from cabinet.

September 14: A spill is called for the positions of leader and deputy leader at 9.15pm.

September 14: Malcolm Turnbull wins the ballot for leader, securing 54 votes to Abbott's 44, with one informal vote.

September 14: Julie Bishop wins the ballot for deputy leader, securing 70 votes to Kevin Andrews' 30.