Tony Abbott is still the Australian Prime Minister after emerging from a 30-minute meeting called to discuss his possible removal, according to CNN.
Last week, a member of the Liberal Party (Abbott's own party) let his intention to debate Abbott's seat be known. Abbott was elected only 17 months ago and promised "adult government" after the bickering and backstabbing of the Labor Party's governing, according to CNN.
According to CNN, waffling on policies and poor decisions lead up to the "zinger" - Abbott bestowed Prince Philip with Australia's highest honor, knighthood in the Order of Australia, on Australia's national day. Honoring Queen Elizabeth's husband angered some Australians who want to sever ties with the British monarchy, according to International Business Times.
Abbott met with members of his Liberal Party on Monday and won the battle to keep his seat with 61 votes against the motion to 39 votes for his removal, but in the war, he is a wounded and weakened leader. New Zealand's National Broadcast, NZTV, described the vote as a "death blow," with 40 percent of Abbott's own party voting against him.
According to NZTV, as of 11:45 a.m. AEST, the prime minister has not made a statement regarding the vote, but he said in a broadcast from Canberra, "We want to end the disunity and uncertainty that destroyed two Labor governments and give you the good government that you deserve."
