Australian PM Tony Abbott ousted by Cabinet minister Malcolm Turnbull

CANBERRA, Australia, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been ousted from his position after a challenge within his Liberal Party by senior Cabinet minister turned-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

A ballot was hastily held Monday to determine the leader of the party and its deputy position. Abbott's leadership survived a challenge in February but Abbott has continuously been plagued by poor opinion polls and a hostile Senate.

Turnbull won leadership with 54 votes to Abbott 's 44. Julie Bishop, the Australian minister for Foreign Affairs, will remain as deputy leader after she defeated Kevin Andrews with a 70 to 30 vote.

"It is clear enough that the government is not successful in providing the economic leadership that we need," Turnbull said at a previous news conference announcing the challenge. "It is not the fault of individual ministers. Ultimately the prime minister has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs. He has not been capable of providing the economic confidence that business needs."

Turnbull will be sworn in as prime minister after Abbott writes to Australia's governor general and formally resigns.

"The prime ministership of this country is not a prize or a plaything to be demanded," Abbott said at an earlier news conference. "It should be something which is earned by a vote of the Australian people.