Peter Dutton flagged immigration curbs and did not rule out walking away from the Paris climate change targets, as his core supporters moved to force a second leadership ballot this week by resigning en masse from the frontbench last night.

With Mr Turnbull's leadership hanging by seven votes and the government paralysed by division following Tuesday's ballot, Mr Dutton outlined a policy agenda and started softening his image as he groomed himself for a second strike.