Tony Abbott defiant as members of parliament call for his sacking

Sydney

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Tony Abbott was fighting for his job on Wednesday after backbenchers publicly called for a Liberal Party vote on his leadership following months of tensions stoked by fading poll numbers and policy backflips.

A handful of members of parliament (MPs) on Tuesday openly revolted against the conservative leader after Mr Abbott's recent controversial decision to make Britain's Prince Philip a knight helped bring simmering tensions to the surface.