Australia PM urges end to 'disunity' after confidence vote

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday called for an end to "disunity and uncertainty" after surviving a confidence vote on his leadership, saying the matter was now "behind us".

"The Liberal Party has dealt with the spill motion and now this matter is behind us," he said in a televised statement after a vote of the Liberal party room rejected a proposal to unseat him by 61 to 39.

"We are absolutely determined to work for you, the people who elected us.

"We want to end the disunity and the uncertainty which destroyed two Labor governments and give you the good government that you deserve."

Abbott added that "when you elect a government, when you elect a prime minister, you deserve to keep that government and that prime minister until you have a chance to change your mind".

"So the focus now is once more on jobs, families, a stronger economy and a secure nation. We do face many challenges," he said.

"I love this country. I will do my best to help our country to succeed."