Stefan Postles/Getty Images(SYDNEY) — Australia’s prime minister is out after a dramatic election.
Malcolm Turnbull, a moderate Liberal, booted Tony Abbott out of office Monday after challenging the former prime minister to a leadership vote within the ruling Liberal Party. He won the support of 54 people in his party compared to Abbott’s 44.
The 60-year-old millionaire lawyer is Australia’s third prime minister to be elected in five years without the electorate casting a vote.
Turnbull is more traditionally liberal compared to the very conservative Abbott. The former prime minister was very critical of climate change and against gay marriage, whereas Turnbull has been an advocate for marriage equality within Australia’s government.
Abbott served only two years of his term.
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