Scott Morrison Replaces Turnbull as Australia’s New Prime Minister

Treasurer Scott Morrison to become Australia’s next prime minister.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Altered by The Quint)

Australia's ruling party, on Friday, 24 August, chose Treasurer Scott Morrison to become the next prime minister, reported AP.

Morrison will replace Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull, who is expected to resign.

Friday's ballot among Liberal Party lawmakers means Australia's sixth change of prime minister in 11 years, prolonging an era of extraordinary political instability.

Morrison, an ally of deposed leader Malcolm Turnbull, won a party-room ballot 45-40.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, another Turnbull backer, was also in the running but was eliminated in the first round of voting.

Turnbull, who had been staring at calls for his resignation as the government crippled, didn’t stand in the leadership contest.

(With inputs from AP and PTI)