Tony Abbott plays down 'overexcited chatter' about Malcolm Turnbull

By James Glenday

Photo: Tony Abbott has hosed down suggestions of a campaign against Malcolm Turnbull. (AAP: Alan Porritt)

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Prime Minister Tony Abbott has hosed down speculation of a coordinated campaign against Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull over alleged disloyalty and says he expects his ministers to have ambition.

Mr Abbott was in Paris to meet the Queen as world leaders gather in France for the 70th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings.

But the questions at his first Paris press conference centred on conservative commentators Alan Jones and Andrew Bolt and the suggestion Mr Turnbull is being disloyal to the Prime Minister.

"I think that there has been a bit of overexcited chatter," Mr Abbott said.

"Lots of people in public life are the subject, from time to time, of criticism. It goes with the territory. The point I want to make is that I am very pleased to have Malcolm as a senior member of my government.

"I expect my senior front benchers to be ambitious. There's nothing wrong with ambition," he said.

"I'd be amazed if they didn't. I'd be absolutely amazed if they didn't. I think ambition is almost a pre-requisite for going into Parliament."

Video: Turnbull pauses when asked about coordinated media campaign against him

He says he does not think there is a coordinated campaign against Mr Turnbull by Bolt and Jones, after both men suggested Mr Turnbull is being disloyal to his leader.

"No, Alan is a friend of mine - Andrew Bolt is a friend of mine," he said.

"Occasionally people try to make mischief. That's life when you're in public life."

Last night on the ABC's 7:30 program, Mr Turnbull rejected suggestions he might be after the Liberal leadership and said he thought there could be a campaign against him.

"Um …. it certainly - you could form that view, you could form that view," he said.

But he said he was "absolutely certain" the Prime Minister's office was not involved.

"That really would be mad," he said.

Mr Turnbull led the Coalition from September 2008 to December 2009, when Mr Abbott defeated him in a spill motion by one vote.

Bolt dismisses 'bizarre conspiracy theory'

Cabinet Minister Christopher Pyne this morning dismissed the leadership speculation on Channel Nine.

Bolt on NewsRadio

Listen to Andrew Bolt telling ABC NewsRadio Clive Palmer has essentially confirmed Bolt's views on Malcolm Turnbull's conduct.

 

"Malcolm's been the leader, that has ended and he's very happy being Communications Minister," Mr Pyne said.

Both Mr Pyne and Mr Turnbull insist the Coalition is united.

Speaking on ABC NewsRadio this morning, Bolt hit back at suggestions he is part of a concerted campaign to destabilise Mr Turnbull, saying he is "in touch with people all over the spectrum".

"What would you expect from a commentator?" Bolt said.

"But no-one, no-one has egged me on. I mean this is just a bizarre conspiracy theory. Really, Malcolm - it's just me.

"I did this entirely off my own bat. Who, knowing me, would doubt that I would? It's just ridiculous - there's this bizarre idea that I'm part of a grand conspiracy. People looking under rocks for these enemies of Turnbull. Again, it's just me, Malcolm."

Tony Abbott plays down 'overexcited chatter' about campaign against Malcolm Turnbull over disloyalty - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)