Challenger pulls trigger on Liberal leadership showdown
Angus Taylor will challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership. -AAP Image
Liberal MP Angus Taylor will challenge Sussan Ley for the party's top job, ending weeks of furious speculation.
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Mr Taylor on Thursday resigned from the Liberal front bench, where he had served as opposition defence spokesman.
Party conventions require anyone who wants to challenge their leader to step down from their portfolio.
The move allows Mr Taylor to openly canvass for votes ahead of a leadership ballot.
Mr Taylor has requested a special party room meeting, allowing all members and senators to vote on the leadership - but some of Ms Ley's supporters have suggested a petition signed by a majority of Liberals must be produced for the meeting to be held.
Ms Ley is understood to not be wedded to that requirement.
Mr Taylor's supporters claim he has the numbers to defeat Ms Ley in a vote, but the final result is anticipated to be tight.
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