Scott Morrison has been leader-in-waiting for years, and today he was elected as leader of the Liberal Party and will become Australia’s prime minister.

Mr Morrison, or ScoMo, as he is often called, will be elevated from the position of Treasurer after winning a Liberal party room ballot defeating Peter Dutton 45 votes to 40.

The sons of a police officer, Mr Morrison’s hardworking character and leadership potential have long been noted by his colleagues.

As one influential MP told the Australian Women’s Weekly back in 2015, before Malcolm Turnbull challenged Tony Abbott for the leadership: “If we lose the next election, Scott Morrison will be leader.”

Lately, Mr Morrison has thrown his support behind Mr Turnbull, although he didexpress interest in the top job after the ousted Prime Minister’s poor Newspoll performances.

He told the ABC in April he would not pursue his ambitions while Mr Turnbull remained in the role, insisting Mr Turnbull was the right person to lead the party not just to the next election “but beyond”.

But the Treasurer said he would be interested “down the track, if an opportunity presented itself”.

Mr Morrison’s time finally came this week when he sought support for a leadership tilt after three senior ministers publicly stated that Mr Turnbull longer enjoyed the confidence of the Liberal Party.

BDST: 1041 HRS, AUG 24, 2018

AH