Turnbull sworn in as Australian prime minister after ousting Abbott

Meet Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s new – and smiley – Prime Minister.

In his first public comments since his removal by the Liberal party late on Monday, Mr Abbott said it had been “a tough day, but when you join the game, you accept the rules”.

Many conservative Nationals were upset at the removal of Mr Abbott, who is seen as more right of centre than his successor.

The outgoing leader also decried the “poll-driven panic” he said has produced a “revolving-door prime ministership” and a “febrile media culture” that he claims “rewards treachery”.

Australia’s new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with deputy leader Julie Bishop.

The Labour Party has enjoyed a solid lead over the Government since previous year, with a Newspoll survey last week finding 63 per cent of voters dissatisfied with Abbott’s performance. He has a softer position that Abbot on gay marriage and environmental policies, while wanting to replace the British monarch with an Australian president as head of state.

Former communications minister Malcolm Turnbull was sworn in as Australia’s 29th prime minister on Tuesday and praised the man he ousted as a “great Australian”.

Abbott survived a leadership challenge in February after poor polling and a series of gaffes ignited a backbench revolt.

ANC Australia has sought a meeting with the newly elected Prime Minister to discuss a wide range of issues important to the Armenian-Australian community.

“It is certainly the case that I urged (Mr Turnbull) not to go”, Mr Howard said, paying tribute to both men.

As a millionaire former barrister from an upmarket Sydney electorate, Turnbull has always been considered the main challenger to Abbott who won power from a divided Labor Party in 2013.

“My pledge today is to make this change as easy as I can”, Turnbull told reporters.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Kate Carnell welcomed the promise of more collegiate and co-operative government, urging Turnbull to undertake reforms to boost productivity and competitiveness. “Australia does not need another out of touch, arrogant, Liberal leader”.

Dr Williams said the act of politicians usurping their chosen leader in their first term of government was “becoming a far too frequent occurrence”, which continues to threaten the public’s confidence in democracy.