Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has praised the performance of Treasurer Joe Hockey, saying he is doing a good job in difficult circumstances.

Ms Bishop said she was not responsible for a story published in News Corp papers on Sunday which reported that she discussed the performance of Mr Hockey with Prime Minister Tony Abbott late last year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop says she didn't discuss Joe Hockey's performance with Tony Abbott. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The story comes a week after Fairfax Media reported that discussions were taking place about whether to move against the Treasurer if the Canning byelection produces a bad result for the government.

"This is an old story that's been around for some time," Ms Bishop said in Perth on Sunday.