There were widespread objections to the policy from within the Liberal Party, including from Victoria Opposition Leader and future Premier Jeff Kennett, New South Wales Premier Nick Greiner, former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, and former immigration ministers Ian Macphee and Michael MacKellar.

Firstly Senate leader Fred Chaney, Peacock's first choice as deputy, was persuaded to reluctantly switch his support, then, Peacock, Chaney, and Chaney's Senate deputy Austin Lewis, being other members of the leadership team, informed Howard that 40 members wanted the matter of leadership raised at the next party meeting.

[9] In October Howard did accept an offer to return to the frontbench as Shadow Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce.

In the immediate aftermath of this spill the just deposed Howard was asked the chances of him making his own comeback to the leadership.

[10] Howard did eventually return to the leadership in January 1995 and became Prime Minister when he led the Coalition to victory at the 1996 election.