Federal Attorney-General George Brandis has publicly rejected ongoing speculation he will be quitting this year in order to replace Alexander Downer as Australia's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom.

Despite Senator Brandis ruling it out last year and the government saying he was not on the shortlist of candidates to replace Mr Downer, the speculation has spilled into the new year amid unsourced reports Mr Turnbull was planning to reshuffle his cabinet after the May 9 budget.

"That is a very, very old piece of gossip," Senator Brandis told Sky News on Thursday.

Attorney-General Senator George Brandis has rejected speculation he will replace Alexander Downer as Australia's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom. Andrew Meares

"It was reported last year. It was wrong then. It's no more correct this year than it was when it was wrong last year."

Asked if he would take the job if offered, he declined to comment further.