Turnbull had beaten Abbott 54-44 in a sudden ballot among the Liberal Party.
Earlier today, Australia's Prime Minister has been asked to step down by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
In February, Abbott survived a party confidence vote amid public discontent with his economic and social policies in a 61-39 secret ballot.
Abbott's rating has fallen sharply since the end of 2014 over unsuccessful economic policies, with the country's debt-to-GDP ratio surging to record highs not seen since 1996. Liberal Party members have long accused Abbott of his unwillingness to listen to alternative points of view.
