The spill is officially on.
Tony Abbott: Western Australian Liberal MP Luke Simpkins confirms he will seek leadership spill against PMBy political editor Chris Uhlmann and Eliza Borrello
abc.net.au
Fri 6 Feb 2015, 2:08pmPrime Minister Tony Abbott will face a spill against his leadership early next week after West Australian Liberal MP Luke Simpkins emailed party room colleagues to announce he would move a motion to challenge the PM.
The spill motion will be seconded by MP Don Randall, with a third WA Liberal, Dennis Jensen, saying he will support it.
The ABC has been told the MPs called the Prime Minister shortly before sending the email.
In Mr Simpkins' email he writes that: "In the last two weeks I have been inundated with emails and walk-ins to my Electorate Office all questioning the direction the Government is being led in.
"The knighthood issue was for many the final proof of a disconnection with the people.
Have your say: what are your thoughts on the leadership spill?
"These contacts have come from many people that I personally know and are firm supporters - in some cases they are booth workers as well.
"The last time this outpouring of concern happened was when we were being led to support the Rudd Government's ETS, and faced with this erosion of our base support we acted.
"I think that we must bring this to a head, and test the support of the leadership in the party room.
"As I have said in the past, I have no front bench ambitions. I just want to make sure that the economic vandals do not get back into power and our children and grandchildren are not left to pay Labor's bill. I do this because I believe it is in the best interests of the people of our country."
Mr Simpkins said he had submitted a motion to the Government's chief whip asking for the spill to be conducted via a secret ballot at Tuesday's party room meeting.
The Government's chief whip Philip Ruddock confirmed he had received notice of the motion and said Mr Abbott had "indicated this motion will be listed for discussion at the Liberal Party Meeting on Tuesday".
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/mp-seeks-leadership-spill/6075470