CANBERRA, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Peter Dutton has resigned as Australia's minister for home affairs, following a failed leadership challenge against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Turnbull won the leadership ballot 48-35 on Tuesday morning after the prime minister invited Dutton's challenge by declaring the position vacant at a party room meeting.

Dutton, the most senior conservative member of the governing Liberal National Party (LNP), resigned from the position of home affairs minister following the ballot, saying he could not continue to serve in cabinet having led an unsuccessful challenge against the prime minister.

Speaking for the first time since his failed challenge, Dutton said he believed he presented the LNP's best opportunity to win the upcoming general election.

Turnbull announced that Treasurer Scott Morrison would take over as home affairs minister until a permanent replacement was appointed. Enditem

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