SkyNews is now reporting that Ms Bishop’s office has denied that there was any agreement that she would not stand for the leadership if spill motion succeeds. 8.58am
Liberal MPs are arriving at the special party room meeting. Mr Abbott arrived with a large number of MPs including Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne and Matthias Cormann.
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison arrived earlier, walking in with senator Arthur Sindinos.
While Malcolm Turnbull arrived alone, looking relaxed with a phone in his hand.
PRIME Minister Tony Abbott will face a verdict on his leadership with a spill motion expected to be voted on this morning. Follow our live coverage below.
9.16am
The motion has reportedly been defeated, 39 to 61 in favour of Tony Abbott. 9.15am
The other woman flanking Tony Abbott as he strode into the partyroom alongside Julie Bishop this morning was Senator Linda Reynolds.
The little-known West Australian has previously been quoted as objecting to the spill motion.
She appears in contrast to her fellow WA backbenchers who have led the revolt against Abbott.
But if the PM was looking for a lucky charm, she may not have been a great pick. She’s previously been dubbed as the ‘unluckiest woman in Australian politics’
It has been said that Julie Bishop has been keeping a low profile but actually paving her way to the PM position, which will be Bill Shorten's bad dream! If Julie Bishop took the office for the top job now, Bill would have to fight unbelievably harder to rise from the opposition leader to the top job!
And I believe that now the labour party is the one who laughs the most!
The ABC reporters Sam and Korch couldn't hold back their laughters even for a minute when they are broadcasting and interviewing people in this puppet show!