Canberra

AUSTRALIA'S Prime Minister Tony Abbott thwarted a leadership challenge, but failed to end speculation that his position is under threat after almost 40 per cent of his Liberal Party colleagues voted against him.

Liberal lawmakers voted by 61 to 39 against a motion that would have declared his job vacant and allowed candidates to run against him. Internal support for the prime minister has dwindled 17 months after he won office amid the government's slumping poll ratings and concern about his leadership style.