There was a change of leadership of the Liberal Party of Australia on 5 September 1985 with John Howard replacing Andrew Peacock.
A spill of the deputy leadership of the party took place on that day, Peacock attempting to replace John Howard with his preferred candidate John Moore. The spill was won by Howard over Moore by 38 votes to 31 with 7 members abstaining.
Upon rejection of his candidate for the deputy leadership, Andrew Peacock resigned and was replaced by John Howard as leader defeating Jim Carlton 57 votes to 6. The Deputy leadership was then filled by Neil Brown defeating 11 others (including Moore) for the position.
Background
Initial Deputy Candidates
John Howard, incumbent Deputy Leader, Shadow Treasurer, Member for Bennelong
John Moore, Shadow Minister for Communications, Member for Ryan
Withdrawn Candidates
Michael Hodgman, Shadow Minister for Housing and Construction, Member for Denison
Initial Results
Spill motion to vacate deputy leadership
Deputy leadership ballot
Final Candidates
Jim Carlton, former Shadow Minister for Health, Member for Mackellar
John Howard, incumbent Deputy Leader, Member for Bennelong
Results
The following tables gives the ballot results:
Leadership ballot
Deputy leadership ballot
Other candidates in order of elimination: