Beazley calls on the fight

Two Party Preferred Trends: PalmerKim Beazley has put his job on the line by announcing a caucus leadership ballot for Monday morning.

By pulling on a quick vote Beazley must win decisively. On the other hand by giving his opponent Kevin Rudd only three days to organise, he has put a lot of pressure on Rudd to show he has a substantial voting base.

"I have the experience to be the alternative prime minister of this nation and therefore to be the prime minister of this nation," Mr Beazley said.

"I have done the hard yards in politics."

Mr Beazley said he intended to win the ballot, which would also throw open a contest for all front bench positions.

"Obviously it is a ballot I will contest and it's a ballot I intend to win," he said.

"I intend that that ballot on Monday should resolve all these issues, not just simply my leadership, but there's speculation about other people in leadership positions and about the entire front bench.

"I intend to recommend to caucus that there be a spill of all caucus executive positions which effectively means the entire front bench."

Mr Rudd has told Mr Beazley he will contest the Vote for leadership.

There are 88 members of caucus and the winner will need a minimum of 45 votes. However Beazley will need at least two thirds of the vote to stem more challenges.