Dutton not keen to one day be leader

Not wishing to reveal private conversations, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann will not clarify whether Malcolm Turnbull tried to make Peter Dutton his deputy.

Matthias Cormann (L) won't clarify if the Liberals deputy leadership was offered to Peter Dutton(R) Source: AAP

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has refused to weigh in on whether Malcolm Turnbull offered Peter Dutton the deputy leadership of the Liberal Party as his own leadership as prime minister was unravelling.

After speculation he had lost the confidence of multiple cabinet ministers, Mr Turnbull called a leadership spill on a Tuesday morning in August, beating sole challenger Mr Dutton 48-35.

Mr Dutton says the deputy offer followed that spill.

"I said to him, given what had just taken place, that wasn't credible. It wasn't his to gift either," Mr Dutton said.

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