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Australia PM's deputy Julie Bishop denies Abbott challenge | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told the cabinet she is not seeking to challenge Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the leadership. | Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told the cabinet she is not seeking to challenge Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the leadership. |
Mr Abbott had earlier refused to say whether he had asked Ms Bishop not to oppose him in a possible contest. | |
The PM is facing a popularity slump and his Liberal-National coalition suffered a shock defeat in Queensland's 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. | 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 he was not going to "play these insider games" and that the public was not interested. | |
He said he was not prepared to hold a leadership ballot, and insisted he still had Ms Bishop's support and that of backbenchers. | |
Ms Bishop, who is deputy leader of Mr Abbott's Liberal Party, later released a statement saying: "I am not campaigning for the job of prime minister, I am not ringing the backbench asking for support." | |
"I am not counting any numbers, I will not challenge the leader." | |
Her comments did not, however, rule her out of a contest if it is called by another MP. | |
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. | |
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. | 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. |