"The people expect the government and the prime minister they elect to go forward doing the job that we were elected to do, and then to submit ourselves to their judgment at the next election," he said. Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne and Tony Abbott in Parliament this week. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "And that's certainly what I expect to be doing." Mr Abbott said he would leave it to others to obsess over what he called "Canberra insider gossip" and rejected suggestions colleagues were plotting his downfall. "As far as I am concerned, every single member of the government is focused on doing the right thing by the people of Australia – getting on with the job," he said.

"And that's what I'm doing today. That's what I will be doing over the weekend. That's what I've been doing over the last week." Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has ducked questions about his intentions amid reports he has the numbers to become leader if ministers trigger a spill. Questioned outside his Sydney home on Friday, Mr Turnbull said he was "happy to talk to you about lots of things but I'm not going to fuel this continued speculation about the Liberal Party leadership, I hope you understand that". He said he deplored the fresh wave of internal leaks that have left the government on shaky ground just two weeks after the first challenge to Mr Abbott's leadership was defeated 61 votes to 39. Mr Turnbull said he had not been speaking to his colleagues overnight.

I deplore leaking of any kind from any part of the party, everyone deplores that, we all stand in the same position there "I deplore leaking of any kind from any part of the party, everyone deplores that, we all stand in the same position there." The latest round of leadership speculation comes after a difficult week for the government, which began with a series of damaging leaks about Mr Abbott's judgment and the management style of his chief of staff, Peta Credlin. That was followed by the leaking of emails from the Liberal Party executive highlighting a rift within the party over financial transparency and alleged conflicts of interest. Mr Abbott was again under fire in question time this week for his handling of the furore surrounding Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs.

In an interview with 2UE on Friday, Treasurer Joe Hockey said the "self interest" of some was behind the rising speculation and urged colleagues driving the chatter to "put the national interest ahead of self interest". "It's about the self interest of some, whether they're reporting the news or whether they're actually in the party and thinking somehow they'll advance if there's change," Mr Hockey said. "Our solemn duty should be always and only the national interest. That's what every member of parliament should be focused on. Self interest should be cast aside." On Friday morning, Education Minister Christopher Pyne told the Nine network's Today program there would be no leadership challenge. "There is not a leadership challenge. There will not be a leadership spill. Two weeks ago it was a different story."

"I'm saying there's not going to be any leadership changes or spills in the next two weeks. We're getting on with the job." Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday he was "perplexed" by the latest leadership reports. "Nothing has changed over the past couple of weeks," he said. "I think what we're hearing is a bit of political bedwetting by some," he said on 3AW radio. Asked if he supported Mr Abbott "unequivocally", he responded "of course". Mr Morrison said he would be calling his colleagues, telling them to "stay firm, stick with the plan".

He emphasised that the leadership was something decided by the elected members of the party. "These things are the gift of the party room ... anyone who pretends differently is kidding themselves," he said. Loading When asked if he had been sounded on a new role within government, he said "no". Follow us on Twitter