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Australia PM Abbott deflects Julie Bishop questions Australia PM's deputy Bishop denies Abbott rivalry
(about 2 hours later)
Australian PM Tony Abbott has refused to be drawn on reports he asked deputy Julie Bishop not to challenge him, amid ongoing leadership rumblings. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told the cabinet she is not seeking to challenge Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the leadership.
Mr Abbott is facing a popularity slump and his Liberal-National coalition suffered a shock defeat in Queensland state elections at the weekend. 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 reports that Ms Bishop refused to assure Mr Abbott she would not challenge him. 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, but also refused to directly say whether he still had Ms Bishop's backing, insisting: "We are friends, we are part of the leadership team. We support each other. We always have, we always will." 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.
Asked if he had lost control of the backbench, he said he had confidence in his colleagues and that they knew "every government goes through difficult patches". Ms Bishop later told the media that she had given her assurance at a cabinet meeting.
Mr Abbott, who was visiting a childcare centre in Sydney's west, declared "Back to Work Tuesday", insisting that stability was now the main focus. "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 scrappedParental leave scrapped
Ms Bishop, meanwhile, was quoted on Monday as saying she would "not reveal the details of private conversations I have with any leaders, let alone my own prime minister".
Cabinet meetings are being held on Tuesday and Wednesday, and analysts say leadership of the government is likely to be discussed.
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.
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.