Aussie PM Turnbull retains his position, but only just

The Australian Prime Minister Turnbull has won the vote 48 to 35 and remains as Prime Minister.

The PM was beating off the challenger Peter Dutton who has been forced to resign to the backbench. Mr Dutton was seen as an alternative leader who could better represent the conservative wing of the party, which is not interested in locking Australia into ambitious carbon emissions cuts. The deputy leadership was also declared vacant, but Julie Bishop was the only person nominated so hung on to her role. Mr Dutton will move to the backbench from the Home Affairs Minister position he lobbied hard to create, where he is likely to continue to agitate for the leadership. However, Chief government whip Nola Marino announced the close margin at the tense party room meeting which has been labelled a “humiliation” for Mr Turnbull with a frontbench who does not support him.