Courtesy: BBC News
The Australian government has adjourned a sitting of parliament as it moves to resolve a leadership crisis that has crippled PM Malcolm Turnbull.
Mr Turnbull is fighting to retain his position amid a push by senior colleagues to replace him as leader.
He has been under growing pressure over poor polling and a revolt by the conservative wing of his party.
Labor Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten said the country “no longer has a functioning government”.
“The government may adjourn the parliament, but they cannot outrun the weight of failure of this government,” he said in parliament.
There were jeers of “you’re a disgrace” from the opposition benches as the House of Representatives voted 70-68 to suspend parliament until 10 September.
The adjournment was a widely unexpected outcome of several days of upheaval in Canberra.
Amid a fast-moving crisis, Mr Turnbull was facing a demand by party rival Peter Dutton to hold a second leadership contest in three days.
Mr Dutton, who until this week was home affairs minister, had on Tuesday unsuccessfully challenged Mr Turnbull in a Liberal party vote – losing by a slim 13-vote margin.
He resigned his cabinet position as a result.
Local media reported that Mr Dutton could face an additional rival – Treasurer Scott Morrison – if Mr Turnbull decided to step aside.
The prime minister has not commented publicly on the latest developments but is due to speak to the press shortly.
He has now lost the support of three key ministerial backers, seen as a blow to his chances of remaining leader.
