• Malcolm Turnbull sworn in as Australian Prime Minister • Australia gets its fifth prime minister in eight years • Tony Abbott lashes out at culture of 'treachery' in farewell speech • Julie Bishop retains deputy leader position 
 
 It's been an intense 30 hours for Australian politics. Jonathan Pearlman in Sydney sums up the latest events: 
 
 Malcolm Turnbull has been sworn in as prime minister by the Governor General and says he is “filled with optimism”, as Tony Abbott broke his silence, lashing out at the media and backstabbing MPs in his own party. Abbott’s deputy Julie Bishop, who helped to orchestrate the coup, said Abbott was “obviously very hurt”, adding: “I’m not enjoying this ... It is a very difficult time.” In his emotional final statement as prime minister, Abbott pledged that he will not “wreck” the party or undermine Turnbull. Turnbull appeared extremely relaxed sitting in the prime minister’s chair for question time but was forced to defend Abbott’s position on gay marriage – a plan for a national vote which Turnbull rejected last month. 
 
 07.50 
 
 Malcolm Turnbull has been sworn in as prime minister by the Governor General Tony Abbott has broken his silence, lashing out at the media and backstabbing MPs in his own party The first Question Time of the new government is now over, Australia gets its fifth prime minister in eight years 
 
 05.30 
 
 The first Question Time of the new government begins, with Malcolm Turnbull confirming he is, indeed, the new PM. He pays tribute to Tony Abbott, who is not in the chamber, saying "we owe him a great debt". Bill Shorten, opposition leader is up next, praising Abbott: “He had this frustrating ability… to do something unexpected generous and personal.” 
 
 05.00 
 
 Tony tweets: 
 
 Thank you for the privilege of being Prime Minister. My love for this country is as strong as ever. pic.twitter.com/CP0ioCzE1Z — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) September 15, 2015 
 
 04.45 
 
 Former PM John Howard, the last person to serve a full term as prime minister in Australia, is talking. He pays tribute to Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison for stopping the influex of refugee boats, something he thought would be impossible to do. 
 
 "Inevitably with the pain of disappointment and loss that undoubtedly my friend Tony Abbott feels at this particular time, I say to him as a friend and as a former Liberal Party leader, that he has an enormous amount to be proud of and there is much in his record, both as opposition leader and prime minister, of which the Liberal party should be profoundly grateful and indebted." 
 
 He goes on to congratulate Turnbull, saying he is "a person of great intelligence". 
 
 "He has the capacity to explain economic concepts very clearly and very lucidly and that, as he indicated yesterday, will be an important part of the skill set that he brings to his new responsibilities. I have little doubt that he will, as I did and Tony Abbott did, understand that the Liberal party is a broad church. It’s a centre right party, it brings together two streams of the Australian polity, it is the custodian of small liberal values. It does best when it keeps a balance of those two." 
 
 This will sting for Abbott. 
 
 John Howard: I gave Tony Abbott a lot of advice over recent years and he accepted some of that advice and rejected some — Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) September 15, 2015 
 
 04.33 
 
 Here we go, Turnbulls and Bishop all smiles as the ceremony kicks off. Turnbull stands and takes the oath. Sits to sign it. Shakes hands with the GG, Sir Peter Cosgrove. And it is done. A new prime minister. 
 
 04.23 
 
 Turnbull, his wife Lucy and Julie Bishop have arrived at Government House for the swearing in. 
 
 04.10 
 
 Jonathan Pearlman, our Australia correspondent, has this take on Abbott's farewell speech: 
 
 "In his emotional final statement as prime minister, Tony Abbott lashed out at the media but pledged that he will not “wreck” the party or undermine Malcolm Turnbull, the new leader. 
 
 Significantly, Abbott clearly declared that he will not repeat the behaviour of former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd, who spent years undermining Julia Gillard before finally winning his job back. 
 
 But Abbott’s claim that he has never leaked against his own party was also an attack on his own fellow Liberal MPs and aides, who regularly shared their gripes with journalists. 
 
 Such leaking only worsened as Abbott’s dismal polling continued, perpetuating a cycle from which he could not escape. 
 
 For all of his flaws, Abbott’s pledge not to undermine Turnbull has credibility. 
 
 Despite his aggressive political style and firm self-belief, Abbott, a staunch Catholic and conservative, has tended to see himself as a servant of grander institutions, including the Church, the Liberal party and the role of prime minister. His immediate political future is not clear but he has pledged to make the shift to Turnbull “as easy as I can”. 
 
 "Yes, this is a tough game,” he said. “But when you join the game, you accept the rules." 
 
 03.45 
 
 And that's that. A humble speech, tinged with real sadness. And a fair amount of anger. 
 
 Meanwhile, the swearing in of Turnbull is at 1.15pm. 
 
 03.37 
 
 Abbott is up - some key lines: 
 
 "This is not an easy day. My pledge is to make this change as easy as I can. 
 
 "I want our government and country to succeed. 
 
 "This is a tough day but when you join the game you accept the rules. 
 
 "I am proud of what we have achieved over the past two years. 
 
 "We stayed focused despite the white anting. 
 
 "Of course the government wasn't perfect, we were a government of men and women, not gods walking upon the Earth. 
 
 "Poll-driven panic has produced a revolving primeministerial door. 
 
 "A febrile media culture has developed that rewards treachery. 
 
 "I thank my country for the priviledge of service, it is humbling to lose but that does not compare to the honour of being asked to lead. 
 
 "My love for this country as strong as ever and may god bless this great commonwealth." 
 
 He leaves to applause. 
 
 03.25 
 
 New House of Reps seating plan, Abbott on the backbenches. 
 
 New seating plan. Abbott on the bbench next to @AndrewLamingMP. Hockey remains on the front bench for now. #qt pic.twitter.com/iBaNkTjQSH — Laura Jayes (@ljayes) September 15, 2015 
 
 02.55 
 
 Finally - Abbott will hold a press conference at 12.30pm - in half an hour. 
 
 02.25 
 
 While we wait, here is the New Yorker on Abbott's long demise. 
 
 02.15 
 
 Abbott needs to resign before Turnbull can be sworn in. This has to happen before 2pm, when Question Time starts. With Abbott MIA people are starting to ask if he will simply refuse to step down. Crazy times! 
 
 Tony Abbott needs to tender resignation to the GG so Turnbull can be sworn it - before Q Time at 2pm — Phillip Coorey (@PhillipCoorey) September 15, 2015 
 
 @patrickkeneally we're speculating he may just refuse to go, NT style, and end up - staying — Emily Wilson (@emilyhwilson) September 15, 2015 
 
 01.50 
 
 Liberals, including Turnbull and Bishop, are on their way to the party room. Still no sign of Tony Abbott. 
 
 A Parliament House attendant watches PM designate Malcolm Turnbull Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne arrive pic.twitter.com/NxoXfQLkem — andrew meares (@mearesy) September 15, 2015 
 
 01.20 
 
 We're still waiting for Tony Abbott to appear, more than 12 hours after the result of the ballot. 
 
 Is there a hashtag already? #wherestony perhaps? — Shalailah Medhora (@shalailah) September 15, 2015 
 
 00.50 
 
 Leader of the opposition, Bill Shorten, who will be privately dismayed by the rise of Turnbull, says the Liberal Party has a new leader but "no new direction". He said Labor should be proud because it had made the Liberal Party panic. In his first comments since the spill he said: 
 
 "This country has been going nowhere for the last two years. You know the story, we see it everyday in the suburbs and the streets. Unemployment has gone up, debt and deficit has gone up. Even the NBN’s doubled incost since before the last election. We’ve seen growth down, real wage income growth down, we’ve seen confidence down. And yet Malcolm Turnbull has said that the problem is only in the style not the substance. This country needs no more showmen, it actually just needs substance." 
 
 00.30 
 
 The Sydney Morning Herald argues Turnbull has learned from mistakes made by Julia Gillard during her coup against Kevin Rudd. 
 
 00.20 
 
 Looks like the party room meeting will be at 10.30am in Canberra. After that, Turnbull heads to the Governor General. 
 
 00.05 
 
 Interesting and compassionate Facebook post from Liberal premier of New South Wales, Mike Baird. 
 
 "I’ve known Tony Abbott for close to 15 years and I am proud to call him a mate. He will be hurting. So will his wonderful wife Margie and his girls. As their friend, I hurt with them. 
 
 Many of those throwing stones don’t see the heart behind the man who has spent decades volunteering at the local surf club or working a shift with the Rural Fire Service… not for political gain, but for the simple reason that he loves his community. 
 
 This desire to serve, mixed with a deep love of Australia, took him into politics, and ultimately to the highest elected office in the land. Not once have I sensed it was due to a thirst for power. Rather, he has an unquenchable desire to give back. This has always been grounded in a deep humility." 
 
 00.00 
 
 Malcolm Turnbull has announced he will reveal his cabinet at the end of the week. In his first doorstop interview this morning, he said he was "filled with optimism". 
 
 "This is a turn of events I did not expect, I must tell you." 
 
 23.41 
 
 Sydney Morning Herald cartoonist, and national treasure, Michael Leunig's take on the events of the past day: 
 
 23.33 
 
 I think we should just take a moment to ponder the perfection that is the front page of the Northern Territory News: 
 
 True to form, today's best front page comes from the NT News. pic.twitter.com/feTQ9JirZH — Erin Goddard (@erinkgoddard) September 14, 2015 
 
 23.30 
 
 Chris Kenny, a columnist for the Australian newspaper and former Turnbull staffer, predicts the coming period in Australian politics will be "anything but dull". 
 
 "Liberal MPs have acted to end the sense of chaos, and support a fresh start. They have surrendered a clear contrast they had with Labor — leadership stability. But they will hope to surf the irresistible ambition of Turnbull in an effort to prolong their own political lives." 
 
 23.26 
 
 Mother Nature happy with the result of last night's ballot, it seems. 
 
 22.44 
 
 New Zealand's prime minister is one of the first to congratulate Mr Turnbull on his new job. 
 
 I've just phoned new Australian PM @TurnbullMalcolm to offer him my congratulations. pic.twitter.com/3U8c9sQMnP — John Key (@johnkeypm) September 14, 2015 
 
 22.20 
 
 Julie Bishop, Mr Abbott's former deputy who switched support to Mr Turnbull, has been on morning TV. She says changing leaders was "a difficult decision" and a "challenging time for the party", but it was "time to move on" and "maintain the stability of the Liberal Party". She said Mr Abbott was "sad and very hurt" when she told him he had lost her support. "This is a very emotionally draining time for him." 
 
 ‘I know that the Prime Minister was aware there was unhappiness’ says Foreign Minister @JulieBishopMP. #9News pic.twitter.com/gdn6MbT9jg — Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) September 14, 2015 
 
 21.55 
 
 So who exactly is Malcolm Turnbull? Our Sydney correspondent Jonathan Pearlman lifts the lid on the $100 million man. 
 
 21.45 
 
 Malcolm Turnbull is up and about and headed for a ceremony at Government House in Canberra, where he will officially become the nation's new prime minister. 
 
 PM designate Turnbull said he intended to go Parliament House for a party room meeting then onto Government House pic.twitter.com/uKSYZUv8kj — andrew meares (@mearesy) September 14, 2015 
 
 21.30 
 
 Australia's most outspoken right-wing columnist, Andrew Bolt, is not happy, saying Malcolm Turnbull "stole the priministership he could not have won." 
 
 Writing in the Rupert Murdoch-owned Herald Sun, he goes on: 
 
 "What have the Liberals done? Many of their members will be distraught and disgusted. 
 
 Whether Turnbull wins the next election or loses, conservative Liberals will feel they have lost already, now that a man of such “progressive” views has snatched the leadership of their party." 
 
 17.50 
 
 What has happened today? 
 
 Australian conservative prime minister Tony Abbott was dramatically ousted in a snap party vote mounted by challenger Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Turnbull this morning stepped down as communications minister and then challenged Mr Abbott for the leadership of the Liberal Party supported by deputy prime minister Julie Bishop. Within hours Mr Abbott called a Liberal leadership vote to be held in Canberra. Mr Abbott was ousted as Liberal party leader after losing 44-54 votes. Republican Malcolm Turnbull will formally become prime minister when he is sworn in, ironically, by the Governor-General, the Queen’s representative, in the coming days. 
 
 For the full story of today's events 
 
 16.13 
 
 Predictably Australian newspapers' front pages for tomorrow are all about the Liberal vote: 
 
 Tomorrow's @couriermail features nine pages of news and expert analysis following @TurnbullMalcolm's leadership win pic.twitter.com/VQc6gQuY2c — The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) September 14, 2015 
 
 14.21 
 
 Meanwhile the Adelaide Advertiser is reporting that education minister Christopher Pyne will be defence minister in the cabinet reshuffle. 
 
 This is Christopher Pyne: 
 
 14.04 
 
 A very restrained tweet by former prime minister Julia Gillard as social media reacts to the new leader's press conference: 
 
 Congratulations to Malcolm Turnbull on becoming Prime Minister - a great honour and responsibility. JG — Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) September 14, 2015 
 
 5 minutes into being PM and he's already ignoring the gays... #auspol — Nathan (@natpattherat) September 14, 2015 
 
 Malcolm is losing the plot already. #auspol — Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) September 14, 2015 
 
 Turnbull controlled media&their questions 2night-don't interrupt me, let me finish, can you move so I can see you, 1more question #libspill — Petra Campbell (@PetraAu) September 14, 2015 
 
 13.52 
 
 "There has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian" 
 
 Photo: Getty Images 
 
 Prime Minister-designate Malcolm Turnbull speaking to the press has said "There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today, and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian." 
 
 During the late-night press conference Turnbull told reporters "I'm very humbled by the great honour and responsibility that has been given to me today." 
 
 The new leader also said he is not going to change the climate change policy and emission targets which have been "very well designed." He added that he expects "parliament will serve its full term" as he vowed to bring economic vision to Australia. 
 
 13.44 
 
 Jonathan Pearlman reports that the rumour of Tony Abbott's missing out on $600,000 ex prime minister pension is not quite right: 
 
 "From what I can tell, he will miss out on a loading on his pension because he will miss the two year mark as prime minister by four days. But the loading would be worth an extra $20,000 a year, on top of his likely pension of about $307,000." 
 
 13.29 
 
 Richard Branson, unlike Rupert Murdoch, seems happy with the result. 
 
 Congrats @turnbullmalcolm. I wish you all the best and hope social progress & good governance follow. pic.twitter.com/Kvcit3TPE3 — Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 14, 2015 
 
 13.24 
 
 The Herald Sun's second edition front page has changed quite drastically since a couple of hours ago.. 
 
 Tomorrows @theheraldsun second edition front page tonight ... Stay tuned for 3rd edition shortly #auspol pic.twitter.com/5T770Pc5W6 — damon johnston (@damonheraldsun) September 14, 2015 
 
 13.15 
 
 It appears that Tony Abbott may be missing out on $600,000 (£280,000) per annum prime minister pension by 4 days. 
 
 WOW. @TonyAbbottMHR misses out on PM's pension by four days. #libspill — Anthony Stewart (@anthonystewart) September 14, 2015 
 
 13.02 
 
 Rupert Murdoch, one of Tony Abbott's most powerful supporters, is not impressed with the result of the vote. 
 
 Sad to see such a decent man as Abbott toppled. Now Turnbull needs a November election before Labor sacks Shorten. — Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 14, 2015 
 
 12.55 
 
 Malcolm Turnbull will be Australia's new prime minister after beating Tony Abbott in a 54-44 partyroom vote, writes Jonathan Pearlman. 
 
 Mr Turnbull, Mr Abbott and the deputy Liberal leader, Julie Bishop, are all expected to speak shortly. Ms Bishop is the current deputy but backed Mr Turnbull's leadership bid. She won the deputy vote in a 70-30 ballot against Kevin Andrews, the defence minister. 
 
 Somewhat bizarrely, the change of leader means that each of the past three elected prime ministers in Australia has been ousted while in office. 
 
 The ruling coalition has struggled in the polls and is hoping Mr Turnbull will be able to deliver a turnaround in the polls. 
 
 12.49 
 
 Malcolm Turnbull has won the Liberal party leadership vote. 
 
 12.33 
 
 The meeting has started, party members are now in the room voting. One of them will emerge as leader of the ruling Liberal party. 
 
 Photo: GETTY 
 
 Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull arriving for the partyroom vote a short time ago. #auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/4aXKe2N5rX — 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) September 14, 2015 
 
 Deputy Liberal leader @JulieBishopMP has arrived at the #libspill party room meeting by herself #auspol pic.twitter.com/i0WQJWOJ9Z — ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) September 14, 2015 
 
 Tony Abbott won the last leadership ballot against Malcolm Turnbull by one vote ... in 2009 #auspol #libspill @abcnews @ABCNews24 — Anna Henderson (@annajhenderson) September 14, 2015 
 
 12.32 
 
 "We need to respect the intelligence of the Australian people" 
 
 Photo: EPA 
 
 In his press conference speech Mr Turnbull said Australia needs "a style of leadership that respects the peoples’ intelligence, that explains these complex issues, and then sets out the course of action we believe we should take." 
 
 He also said Mr Abbott "has not been capable of providing the economic confidence that business needs." 
 
 12.15 
 
 Abbott’s position has come under pressure from a number of recent gaffes. Last week his immigration minister Peter Dutton was caught out making a joke to the Prime Minister about Pacific island nations disappearing under rising seas, before realising a nearby microphone was switched on. 
 
 But by far the most controversial was his knighting of Prince Philip in Australia, according to Louise Burke. The titles of knighthood and damehood were abolished by former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke in 1986 but reintroduced by Mr Abbott last year – a decision which was itself roundly ridiculed. 
 
 12.06 
 
 A picture of former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard eating popcorn has been doing the rounds on Twitter and Facebook since Turnbull announced he would challenge. 
 
 Gillard is no stranger to a leadership spill, having ousted Kevin Rudd to become PM in a bloody coup in 2010, before he returned the favour and regained power three years later, says our Louise Burke. 
 
 She is unlikely to shed any tears for Abbott, who she famously tore down in her speech about misogyny, which went viral. Abbott prompted the outburst after echoing the word “shame” – a reference to a broadcaster’s extraordinarily offensive comments that Gillard’s dad had “died of shame” – in parliament. 
 
 12.01 
 
 Manwhile Australian newspapers' first editions are starting to come out. 
 
 11.52 
 
 Mr Abbott will lose, commentators claim 
 
 Photo: EPA 
 
 The Liberal leadership ballot between prime minister Tony Abbott and challenger Malcolum Turnbull is due to take place in Canberra within the hour at about 9.15pm, 12.15pm GMT. The partyroom ballot will be held in private in parliament but the decision should be announced as soon as the count is confirmed, the Telegraph's Jonathan Pearlman reports from Sydney. 
 
 Most commentators have claimed Mr Abbott will lose, but the numbers are believed to be fluid. Even if Mr Abbott wins, he will probably need to do so by a convincing margin. Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd, two recent would-be leaders who launched coups against sitting prime ministers, lost their first challenges but then sat on the backbench before waiting to strike again. 
 
 11.44 
 
 It has been now confirmed the leadership will be decided during a party room meeting at 9.15pm AEST (12.15pm GMT). 
 
 11.37 
 
 If Malcolm Turnbull is successful in his bid for leadership, he is likely to push for reform on two key issues which Tony Abbott has refused to budge on – an Australian republic and gay marriage, the Telegraph's Louise Burke says . 
 
 As a former chair of the Australian Republican movement in the late 1990s, Turnbull is likely to reignite the issue if he becomes Prime Minister. Australian reporter Daniel Hatch recently wrote an article for the Telegraph suggesting it is time our cousins down under break loose. 
 
 Turnbull is also a supporter gay marriage, which Abbott, a strong Catholic, has remained against throughout his career despite having a lesbian sister. 
 
 11.20 
 
 The leadership contest quickly ignited talk on social media, with Twitter users celebrating Mr Abbott’s possible demise under the hashtag #putoutyouronions – a reference to the prime minister’s unusual decision earlier this year to eat two whole raw onions. Also popular on twitter are #auspol and #libspill. 
 
 I was liberally enjoying a coffee and then it spilt #libspill pic.twitter.com/yURaq9KLyy — Senator Ricky Muir (@Ricky_Muir) September 14, 2015 
 
 So children, did you know that today is International Onion Day. It is my favourite fruit. #auspol pic.twitter.com/g2dhMWXUOb — Schadenfreudian Joy (@geeksrulz) September 14, 2015 
 
 BREAKING: Surprise candidate has just appeared in the corridors. #libspill pic.twitter.com/gY5gWrv91F — Nick Rippon (@nickrippon) September 14, 2015 
 
 #Incredible to think that this loaf of bread went into oven under an Abbott government and emerged under Turnbull pic.twitter.com/XOeRFl88yK — Nick Evershed (@NickEvershed) September 14, 2015 
 
 One of the most outraged responses on social media came from former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, who literally wished “a pox on both your houses” in a Twitter tirade. 
 
 1/3Profoundly disappointing. Fed Libs clear majority in Parlt. Now putting self before public interest. Speculation a sign of weakness 2/3 — Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 13, 2015 
 
 2/3 not strength. When business's or sports bodies challenged they come together to meet the challenge. Fed Libs & Fed ALP continuing a 3/3 — Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 13, 2015 
 
 2/3 not strength. When business's or sports bodies challenged they come together to meet the challenge. Fed Libs & Fed ALP continuing a 3/3 — Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 13, 2015 
 
 Kennett, who is now chairman of a mental health charity, went on to call Malcolm Turnbull a “self centred, selfish individual” and compared him to former Labor leader Kevin Rudd: 
 
 Malcolm Turnbull, You self centered, selfish individual. It has always been about you. Zoe Kerry Packer, and your performance for the 1/2 — Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 14, 2015 
 
 2/2 few years. You and K Rudd have so much in common.. Pity you did not have the discipline that is represented by Andrew Hastie. You 3/3 — Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 14, 2015 
 
 3/3 selfish undisciplined individual. If you win the spill you lose. You have ignored the Govts wins and put your own interests above all. — Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 14, 2015 
 
 11.00 
 
 Hello and welcome to the Telegraph's live coverage of the Australian political turmoil after Malcom Turnbull, a senior minister, challenged prime minister Tony Abbott. 
 
 Mr Abbott soon called a Liberal leadership vote to be held in Canberra within hours and reportedly a result could be due as soon as 9pm AEST (12pm GMT). 
 
 What has happened today? 
 
 After Mr Turnbull's resignation, Tony Abbott gave a brief and decisive statement, Jonathan Pearlman in Sydney writes. 
 
 Mr Abbott said he was dismayed by the chaos in his party and pledged to fend off the challenge announced by Mr Turnbull in Canberra just two hours earlier. 
 
 “The prime ministership of this country is not a prize or a plaything to be demanded,” Mr Abbott said. 
 
 “It should be something which is earned by a vote of the Australian people." 
 
 Mr Abbott said the ballot will decide both his own position and that of deputy leader after Julie Bishop, the current deputy, backed Mr Turnbull and called for a leadership vote. 
 
 Insisting he still had the support of his party, Mr Abbott said: “I firmly believe that our party is better than this, that our government is better than this and, by God, that our country is so much better than this.” 
 
 Photo: EPA 
 
 Declaring his intention to try to dislodge the prime minister, Mr Turnbull earlier said he believed the ruling coalition was flailing and that the country needs a government that “respects the people’s intelligence”. 
 
 “We need advocacy, not slogans,” he said. 
 
 “It is clear that the people have made up their mind about Mr Abbott’s leadership. We have to make a change for our country’s sake, for the government’s sake, for the party’s sake.” 
 
 Significantly, Mr Turnbull secured the support of Ms Bishop, the foreign minister, who has tended to avoid becoming involved in previous party skirmishes. 
 
 The challenge comes as a heavy blow for Mr Abbott, who has just marked his first two years in office. 
 
 Despite his decisive election victory in 2013, the London-born monarchist has never been personally popular and his ruling coalition has trailed in the polls for more than a year. 
 
 A poll on Monday showed the government is facing a 10 per cent swing in a by-election due to be held on Sunday to replace an MP who died. 
 
 Who is Malcolm Turnbull? 
 
 Mr Turnbull, a former party leader, has long coveted the prime ministership. Like Mr Abbott, he is a former Rhodes Scholar, but he is socially liberal and a leading republican. 
 
 Mr Turnbull warned the party faced an electoral wipe-out under Mr Abbott. 
 
 "If we continue with Mr Abbott as prime minister, it is clear enough what will happen,” he said. 
 
 “He will cease to be prime minister and he'll be succeeded by [opposition Labor leader Bill] Shorten." ||||| Updated: Monday, Sept. 14, 2015 at 11 p.m. AEST: On Monday night, Malcolm Turnbull unseated Tony Abbott in an internal Liberal Party ballot to become Australia's 29th prime minister. 
 
 When current affairs demand it, the people of Australia can meme at the speed of sound. 
 
 Mere minutes after Liberal Party politician Malcolm Turnbull officially declared he would be challenging Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the leadership on Monday, #putyouronionsout out began trending on Twitter. 
 
 The hashtag is a nod to the prime minister's well-documented fondness for the vegetable, which he has been caught eating raw — twice. 
 
 It's also a preemptive, tongue-in-cheek eulogy for the end of Abbott's leadership. In late 2014, #putoutyourbats trended globally as part of a tribute to the late Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, where people laid cricket bats outside their front door. 
 
 The glorious meme was foreshadowed in August by Labor politician Tim Watts. 
 
 Turnbull, Morrison and Bishop all transparently auditioning in the spotlight this week #StandByTony #PutOutYourOnions — Tim Watts (@TimWattsMP) August 18, 2015 
 
 And apparently kicked off on Monday by Twitter user, John Kelly. 
 
 It was embraced by the people of Australia. 
 
 this VERY old rancid onion is a visual representation of how tony must be feeling rn #putoutyouronions #libspill pic.twitter.com/8EEAST2qMT — CHLOE SARGEANT (@chlosarge) September 14, 2015 
 
 Even Labor Senator Sam Dastyari joined in. 
 
 And it continued all afternoon. 
 
 The supermarket shelves will be bare at this rate.
– This is no trick about keeping veggies fresher: Australians are putting their onions outside—and snapping photos of them—to pay tribute to their prime minister, who will soon be prime minister no longer. Tony Abbott, who ousted Liberal Party leader Malcolm Turnbull in 2009, has now been ousted by Turnbull, who will become Australia's fourth prime minister in two years after a 54-44 party leadership vote, per the BBC. Turnbull had officially declared he would challenge Abbott for the leadership today, noting Abbott lacks "economic leadership" and would cause the coalition government to lose the next election since he's been falling behind in the polls. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who backed Turnbull's challenge, kept her role as party deputy by a 70-30 vote over Defense Minister Kevin Andrews. "The prime ministership of this country is not a prize or a plaything to be demanded," Abbott said before the vote, per the Telegraph. "It should be something which is earned by a vote of the Australian people." After news of the challenge broke, Australians began putting onions outside their doors in honor of Abbott, who is known to eat the veggies like apples, per Mashable. The hashtag #putyouronionsout began trending on Twitter, with some remarking that it meant Abbott’s downfall as leader. Last year, people shared photos of cricket bats outside their doors using #putoutyourbats to pay tribute to late Australian cricket player Phillip Hughes. To make matter worse for Abbott, a reporter notes he'll miss out on the $600,000 per year prime minister pension. A prime minister must be in power for two years to get it; Abbott managed one year, 361 days.