Australia's day of political bloodletting - in pictures
- Published
A day of intense political drama showed that Australia's political class is not yet sick of the periodic blood-letting that has characterised the last decade.
Former lawyer Malcolm Turnbull defeated Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a late night ballot, but not before a fraught few hours of rallying allies and eyeing up rivals. Here is how the day unfolded in pictures.
The calm before...
They stood together as Question Time came to a close in parliament. Within hours, everything was set to change.
...the announcements
A flurry of speculation followed Malcolm Turnbull's visit to Tony Abbott at his office. Then he appeared outside to make the announcement.
Standing in the shadows, Tony Abbott waits to address the nation before his final and decisive political wrangle.
Not one to shy away from the battle, he reveals that the vote will take place within hours.
Then into the fray...
Squad. Malcolm Turnbull is the first contestant to enter the ring surrounded by a select coterie of allies.
Moments later Julie Bishop, who was elected deputy Liberal party leader, made a stony faced and solitary entrance into the room.
Key minister Scott Morrison takes the long lonely walk down the corridor before the vote. Many politicians have taken this fateful walk under the close scrutiny of Australia's journalists and cameramen.
Tony Abbott makes his entrance flanked by an even bigger squad of allies than Malcolm Turnbull, and it doesn't escape the notice of many journalists commenting as ministers filed in that two female MPs were at the front of the pack.
Before victory
A little fist pump captured Malcolm Turnbull's understated but obvious joy at unseating Mr Abbott.
The new team at the top - Julie Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull after the "coup" was complete.
And despair
A pat on the shoulder for Tony Abbott after the vote. He left as he arrived, surrounded by his friends.