Dutton planning 2nd challenge to Australian prime minister

Dutton planning 2nd challenge to Australian prime minister

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) – A government lawmaker is planning a second challenge against Australia’s prime minister after losing a leadership ballot.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after lawmakers in the ruling conservative Liberal Party chose to keep him as their leader 48 votes to 35 in a ballot on Tuesday.

Turnbull surprised his enemies by calling the ballot before his challenger could lobby colleagues for support.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived a leadership challenge, defeating a senior minister in an internal ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

But Peter Dutton on Wednesday confirmed he was sounding out support for another challenge.

“I am not going to beat around the bush on that, I am speaking to colleagues,” Dutton told Melbourne Radio 3AW.

Dutton left the Cabinet after the vote. Ten ministers who supported Dutton’s challenge have offered their resignations, but it it’s not clear if they’ve been accepted.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived a leadership challenge, defeating a senior minister in an internal ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived a leadership challenge, defeating a senior minister in an internal ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Australian Liberal Party deputy leader Julie Bishop, left, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrive to address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived a leadership challenge, defeating a senior minister in an internal ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Australian Liberal Party deputy leader Julie Bishop, left, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrive to address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived a leadership challenge, defeating a senior minister in an internal ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Australian Liberal Party deputy leader Julie Bishop, left, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived a leadership challenge, defeating a senior minister in an internal ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Australian Liberal Party deputy leader Julie Bishop, left, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived a leadership challenge, defeating a senior minister in an internal ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2018, file photo, former Australian Cabinet Minister Peter Dutton addresses the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Dutton, the government lawmaker who has challenged Australia's prime minister for his job, is publicly perceived as a hard man and a leading hard-right conservative. His face is associated with turning back asylum seekers boats, stripping citizenship from extremists and striving to increase the English-language standards for migrants who want to gain citizenship.(AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, File)

FILE – In this Aug. 21, 2018, file photo, former Australian Cabinet Minister Peter Dutton addresses the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Dutton, the government lawmaker who has challenged Australia’s prime minister for his job, is publicly perceived as a hard man and a leading hard-right conservative. His face is associated with turning back asylum seekers boats, stripping citizenship from extremists and striving to increase the English-language standards for migrants who want to gain citizenship.(AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, File)

Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton, left, leaves after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull survived a leadership challenge, defeating Dutton in an internal government ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton, left, leaves after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull survived a leadership challenge, defeating Dutton in an internal government ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton, left, leaves after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull survived a leadership challenge, defeating Dutton in an internal government ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton, left, leaves after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull survived a leadership challenge, defeating Dutton in an internal government ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

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