AN eleventh hour swing of support from conservatives including one South Australian Liberal senator led to the demise of party challenger Peter Dutton.

SA Liberals Tony Pasin, David Fawcett and Nicolle Flint voted in favour of Mr Dutton at the first leadership ballot.

The trio had signed a petition calling for a special party room meeting to initiate a second spill on Friday — where Scott Morrison joined the race to become prime minister.

Senator David Fawcett on Friday changed his vote from Tuesday, which contributed to the narrow 45-40 defeat.

media_camera Senator David Fawcett changed his vote, Nicole Flint remained tight-lipped about her vote, while Dutton backer Tony Pasin fell behind Scott Morrison.

Senator Fawcett said Mr Morrison’s elevation to the prime ministership would heal divisions in the Liberal Party and clear the way for the Government to address public disillusionment with the political process.

“I believe this generational change will help bring about a restoration of trust,’’ he said

A senior Liberal source this week warned that Boothby MP Nicolle Flint’s support for Dutton was a vote to lose her marginal seat.

Ms Flint remained tight lipped on Friday, saying she will “never reveal how I voted” but said Mr Morrison would “unite” the party.



While it is not known how Ms Flint voted in the second spill, her name did appear among the 43 MPs who signed a petition bringing on the vote.

THOSE WHO SIGNED THE PETITION

media_camera The Liberal Party parliamentarians who signed the leadership spill petition. Picture: Bevan Shields

media_camera The Liberal Party parliamentarians who signed the leadership spill petition. Picture: Bevan Shields.

media_camera The Liberal Party parliamentarians who signed the leadership spill petition. Picture: Bevan Shields.

media_camera The Liberal Party parliamentarians who signed the leadership spill petition. Picture: Bevan Shields

“I’m looking forward to getting home to my electorate to continue to deliver for my local residents as I have done throughout my term,” she said.

Barker MP Tony Pasin, who openly supported Mr Dutton’s attempts to seize the leadership, said the past few days had been an incredibly difficult period for the Liberal Party.

He pledged his support to Mr Morrison.

“I look forward to working with him in the interests of all Australians and I share his view that the that the Liberal Party must now unite and move forward,’’ Mr Pasin said.