Potential leadership contender Julie Bishop has been put on the spot in an awkward early morning interview about the challenge to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The Foreign Minister was asked by Today host Karl Stefanovic how it felt ‘talking to a man on death row’ in a discussion of Mr Turnbull’s future.
Mr Turnbull narrowly survived a leadership challenge from Peter Dutton on Tuesday, but has been left in a tenuous position, with Ms Bishop one of those who could end up in the top job.
Potential leadership contender Julie Bishop (pictured) has been put on the spot in an awkward early morning interview
‘What is it like talking to a man on death row?’ Karl Stefanovic asked Ms Bishop on the Today show on Wednesday morning
Mr Turnbull narrowly survived a leadership challenge on Tuesday, but has been left in a tenuous position, with Ms Bishop one of those who could end up in the top job
His challenger Peter Dutton resigned from Cabinet after the spill along with nine other ministers.
So far the Prime Minister has only accepted the resignations of Mr Dutton and International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
‘What is it like talking to a man on death row?’ Stefanovic asked Ms Bishop on the Today show on Wednesday morning.
‘Well I am talking to you, Karl, what are you suggesting?’ Ms Bishop fired back.
Ms Bishop went to on insist Mr Turnbull would unify the party, and denied the 48 to 35 vote margin was worrying for the Prime Minister.
‘A win of 13 votes in leadership contests is an endorsement. You know about sporting contests – if you win, you win,’ she said.
Ms Bishop went to on insist Mr Turnbull would unify the party, and denied the 48 to 35 vote margin was worrying for the Prime Minister
When asked about her own leadership ambitions she said she was simply focused on her job as Foreign Minister.
Ms Bishop was reelected unopposed as Liberal Party deputy leader in Tuesday’s spill, and has been regarded as a potential replacement should Mr Turnbull resign.
She spoke after earlier rejecting reports she planned to quit politics if Peter Dutton mounted a successful challenge.
‘I’ve never made that threat to anyone,’ she told ABC Radio.
‘I believe that the Prime Minister has been endorsed by a majority of the partyroom… and understand that a number of people who didn’t vote for him have now said they will back him.’
Some Liberal MPs believe Mr Dutton’s challenge was the beginning of the end for Mr Turnbull, one describing him as a ‘dead man walking’.
There could be another leadership ballot as early as this week, or when Parliament returns in September.
If Mr Turnbull decides to stand aside believing he will be defeated in a second spill, Ms Bishop could have the partyroom numbers to win the leadership herself.
Some Liberal MPs believe Mr Dutton’s challenge was the beginning of the end for Mr Turnbull, one describing him as a ‘dead man walking’