Abbott brings forward leadership challenge

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Sunday he would bring forward by 24 hours a party vote on whether to oust him, as Australia faced a possible leadership change for the fourth time in five years.

Abbott has been fighting for his job after poor poll ratings and a series of policy back flips spurred some MPs from his conservative Liberal Party openly to attack him, calling for a leadership "spill" on Tuesday.

The motion aims to declare the positions of party leader and deputy leader - currently occupied by Abbott and Deputy Prime Minister Julie Bishop - vacant so the party room, or members of both houses of Parliament, can vote for new candidates.