Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has dug in and refused to resign, saying a form of madness has overcome those in the Liberal Party who want to change leaders.

Key points: Turnbull will resign if a spill motion is carried tomorrow against him

Turnbull will resign if a spill motion is carried tomorrow against him Turnbull is questioning Dutton's eligibility under Section 44 of the constitution

Turnbull is questioning Dutton's eligibility under Section 44 of the constitution The Government adjourned the Lower House five hours early

Mr Turnbull is forcing his opponents to produce a petition with 43 signatures before he will agree to another leadership vote.

Supporters of his rival Peter Dutton are confident they have at least 40 names on the petition.

Frontbencher Karen Andrews said she has signed it but said that should not be taken as a sign she intends to vote for Mr Dutton.

She said she was signing it to ensure the issue is resolved on Friday.

"I will not stand by after Parliament was adjourned today to have this matter not concluded tomorrow," Mrs Andrews said.

If there is another vote, Mr Turnbull said it would take place at lunch time Friday.

The Prime Minister said he would not contest a second spill and would quit Parliament, setting up a showdown between Mr Dutton and Treasurer Scott Morrison, who has thrown his hat into the leadership ring.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has also joined the race, telling her colleagues she can save the most seats for the Coalition.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said he will not run for the leadership on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Dutton, who lost Tuesday's leadership spill 48-35, said the Prime Minister no longer had the support of the party room.

Mr Turnbull waited several hours before announcing he was insisting on a petition with the names of the people calling for a new vote clearly listed.

Earlier on Thursday Victorian Liberal Sarah Henderson said she was offered a ministry to support Mr Dutton.

"To be rewarded for an act of treachery would be a terrible thing," she told ABC radio.

Mr Turnbull has cast doubt on Peter Dutton's eligibility to sit in Parliament. ( ABC News: Matthew Abbott )

He cast doubt on Mr Dutton's eligibility to sit in Parliament, saying he expected the Solicitor-General's advice on the issue to be available on Friday morning.

"I cannot underline too much how important it is anyone who seeks to be the Prime Minister of Australia is eligible to be in Parliament," Mr Turnbull said.

Sorry, this video has expired Peter Dutton requests second leadership spill. Picture: Matthew Abbott

Federal Labor has legal advice Mr Dutton might be in breach of section 44 of the constitution because of his interests in childcare businesses that receive government subsidies.

Mr Dutton has released legal advice showing he is not in breach of the constitution.

'Insurgents hard to stop'

In a swipe at predecessor Tony Abbott, the Prime Minister said:

"I've made it very clear I believe former prime ministers are best out of parliament, I don't think there's much evidence to suggest that conclusion is incorrect."

Mr Turnbull's comments exposed the level of infighting in the Coalition.

"Obviously if people want to conduct an internal insurgency they're very hard to stop," he said.

"A minority in the party room, supported by others outside the Parliament have sought to bully, intimidate others into making this change of leadership that they are seeking.

"It's been described by many people, including those who feel they cannot resist it, as a form of madness," he said.

West Australian Liberal senator Linda Reynolds repeated Mr Turnbull's words about a type of madness.

She said some of the behaviour she has witnessed "has no place in my party or in the chamber".

"I do not recognise my party at the moment, I do not recognise the values, I do not recognise the bullying and intimidation that has gone on," Senator Reynolds told the Upper House.

"Whatever happens tomorrow this is a sad day for my party and for our nation," she said.

Most of Mr Turnbull's Liberal ministers have resigned amid the leadership crisis, including former Senate leader and finance minister Mathias Cormann, trade minister Steve Ciobo and health minister Greg Hunt.

Sorry, this video has expired Three crucial cabinet ministers have withdrawn their support for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: Matt Roberts

House shut down amid turmoil

The Government controversially adjourned the Lower House five hours early to avoid facing questions from the Opposition.

Labor was outraged the House was shut down.

"I said on Tuesday that this is a government which had lost the will to live," Labor leader Bill Shorten said.

"But I don't even think on Tuesday we could have seen the cannibalistic behaviour of a government who is eating itself alive."

Labor MPs wave goodbye to Liberal MPs as they leave the House of Representatives. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts )

In another sign of the disfunction, Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt revealed he might refuse to serve on the frontbench if Mr Dutton became PM.

Mr Dutton boycotted the 2008 apology to the Stolen Generations and Mr Wyatt was the first Aboriginal MP in the Lower House.

"I would have to seriously think about my position," Mr Wyatt told Perth radio 6PR.