Bishop backs PM to lead at next election, rejects Joyce's ultimatum over polls

A trio of ministers have revealed their prime ministerial ambitions and Barnaby Joyce has set a Christmas deadline, but Julie Bishop is standing by her leader.

Julie Bishop is standing by PM Malcolm Turnbull, saying he will lead the government to the election. Source: AAP

Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal right hand has rejected suggestions the prime minister should consider stepping down by Christmas if the polls are still bad.

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop was responding to an extraordinary challenge by former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce.

Mr Turnbull's leadership is under a cloud after the coalition government lost 30 Newspolls in a row, the same as one of the metrics he used to topple Tony Abbott in 2015.

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