Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has appealed for unity after surviving a challenge to his leadership from a senior government colleague.

Mr Turnbull had called the surprise vote himself in a bid to resolve speculation that his leadership was under threat.

In a party room ballot in Canberra on Tuesday, he defeated Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.

The prime minister won the vote 48-35, Liberal Party MPs said.

Following the result, he told colleagues: “It’s really important that we put our differences behind us and get on with the job of looking after Australians.”

Why was there a challenge?

Speculation over Mr Turnbull’s future as party leader had escalated in the past few days.

He faced a revolt from conservative MPs over a key climate change policy. That led to him abandoning the plans on Monday in an attempt to blunt conflict within his government.

The PM has also been under long-term pressure due to a series of bad polls and a by-election loss in Queensland.