Bishop says not to challenge Abbott's position as Australian PM

Bishop says not to challenge Abbott's position as Australian PM CANBERRA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has confirmed to Prime Minister Tony Abbott that she will not be campaigning for his position despite pressure mounting for Abbott to call for a leadership spill.

Growing rumours of discontent within the federal government ranks have followed yet more lamentable polling results for Abbott, with increased speculation in recent weeks that Bishop could challenge the Australian leader in a mid-election party vote.

However, in a bid to end talks of a falling out between the pair, Bishop has reiterated that her full support is behind the prime minister. "I am not campaigning for the job of prime minister," Bishop told Sky News Australia on Tuesday. "I am not ringing the backbench asking for support, I am not counting any numbers, I will not challenge the leader."

Earlier on Tuesday, Abbott had fuelled speculation that Bishop may stand against him if he called for a leadership spill, refusing to rule out the possibility that the Coalition's deputy leader would dislodge him from his position. "I'm not going to play these Canberra insider games," Abbott told Channel Seven. "Why don't we just leave all that insider gossip to the Canberra insiders?"

He later refused to comment on questions regarding a potential spill.

Despite Bishop's reiteration that she would stand behind Abbott during the latest round of government controversy, there has not yet been confirmation from communications minister Malcolm Turnbull that he will do likewise.

Turnbull was overthrown as the Coalition leader by Abbott in 2009 and so far hasn't ruled out the possibility of challenging for his former position.