Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has resigned from the government frontbench.

DEVELOPING: @PeterDutton_MP has resigned from the frontbench following the failed leadership contest.

WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/hXtn3BujTx #libspill pic.twitter.com/p79TVDoR2J

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) August 20, 2018

The move followed Mr Dutton's failed Liberal leadership challenge on Tuesday. Mr Turnbull defeated Peter Dutton 48-35 in a leadership ballot in the Liberal party room.

Malcolm Turnbull declared the Liberal party leadership vacant, calling an immediate vote on the position after what appeared to be massive pressure from the Dutton camp. It's believed that the PM called the spill because he knew he had the numbers to win. 

Peter Dutton has not resigned from parliament altogether and is still an MP but he has backed away from his position as Home Affairs minister. 

With AAP.