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Liberal MPs: "Malcolm Turnbull has numbers to win new challenge on PM's leadership".

Pressure is building in the Liberal Party for another tilt at removing Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Both ministers and backbenchers have told the ABC they believe Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull now has the numbers to win a challenge and should use them.

Mr Abbott survived a move on his leadership earlier this month, when a motion to spill the position failed 39 votes to 61.

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After that party room meeting, the Prime Minister declared that “good government starts today”.

Coalition MPs say that Malcolm Turnbull has the numbers to oust Tony Abbott

However, there is now open despair in Coalition ranks, even among those who supported the Prime Minister in the leadership spill.

Liberals talk of little else and worry that there will be permanent brand damage if Mr Abbott stays.

As he left Parliament today, Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey was questioned about whether Mr Abbott would lead the Government to the next election.

“Who knows, I mean we are falling in behind Tony, we’ve had that day in the party room,” he said.

“Not everybody’s happy all the time but that’s life.”

Another backbencher, Russell Broadbent, reiterated that Mr Abbott had qualified support.

“He’s been given time, the time that he’s been given is – he’s on a test at all times – so every Prime Minister is,” he said, adding there was “no deadline”.

The post originally appeared on ABC and has been republished here with full permission.

Who would get your vote Tony Abbott or Malcolm Turnbull?

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