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Australia PM's deputy Bishop denies Abbott rivalry | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told the cabinet she is not seeking to challenge Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the leadership. | |
Her comments come hours after Mr Abbott refused to say whether he asked her not to do so. | |
The PM is facing a popularity slump and his Liberal-National coalition suffered a shock defeat in Queensland state elections at the weekend. | |
He has insisted the government must get "back to work". | He has insisted the government must get "back to work". |
Sky News in Australia reported earlier that Mr Abbott had unsuccessfully sought confirmation from Ms Bishop she would not mount a leadership bid against him. | |
When asked by reporters whether such a conversation had happened, Mr Abbott said: "I am not going to play these insider games ... but I don't think the public are interested." | When asked by reporters whether such a conversation had happened, Mr Abbott said: "I am not going to play these insider games ... but I don't think the public are interested." |
He said he was not prepared to hold a leadership ballot, and insisted he still had Ms Bishop's support and that of the backbenchers. | |
Ms Bishop later told the media that she had given her assurance at a cabinet meeting. | |
"I'm not ringing the backbench asking for support, I have not counted any numbers, I will not challenge the leader," the Australian Financial Review quoted her as saying. | |
Mr Abbott, who was visiting a childcare centre in Sydney's west, declared "Back to Work Tuesday", insisting that stability was now the government's main focus. | |
Parental leave scrapped | Parental leave scrapped |
Mr Abbott's approval ratings have fallen below 30% this week, partly in response to his decision to award a knighthood to Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip. | Mr Abbott's approval ratings have fallen below 30% this week, partly in response to his decision to award a knighthood to Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip. |
He was seen as a key factor in the crushing defeat of the Liberal party in Queensland's elections on Saturday. | He was seen as a key factor in the crushing defeat of the Liberal party in Queensland's elections on Saturday. |
On Monday, he confirmed the scrapping of one of his signature policies - a paid parental leave scheme. | On Monday, he confirmed the scrapping of one of his signature policies - a paid parental leave scheme. |
He said it was "off the table" as the country currently could not afford it. | He said it was "off the table" as the country currently could not afford it. |
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has also been suggested as a possible rival to Mr Abbott in recent weeks, along with Social Services Minister Scott Morrison. |