 On 1 December 2009 , Liberal MPs convened to consider the spill motion to vacate the leadership . The motion passed 48 – 34 , following which Turnbull , Hockey and Abbott contested a ballot . Hockey was seen as the favourite to win the ballot , but was knocked out in the first round of voting , receiving 23 votes to Turnbull 's 26 and Abbott 's 35 . A second round of voting ensued , in which Abbott defeated Turnbull by one vote ( 42 – 41 ) . Fran Bailey , a supporter of Turnbull , was absent for the vote , and there was one vote of " no " , which was recorded as informal . 
