(Transcript from World News Radio)
Prime Minister Tony Abbott's leadership once again appears to be under threat.
There are reports Mr Abbott no longer has the numbers in the party room to retain the top job.
And there's a strong feeling on his frontbench there must be a new leader if the Coalition is to win the next federal election.
As Amanda Cavill reports, it appears it's now not if but when a challenge will take place and the only decision left is the timing and manner of Mr Abbott's demise.
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There are reports Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been told he has the numbers to wrest the leadership from Tony Abbott.
The speculation is happening less than three weeks after Mr Abbott survived a party room vote, 61 votes to 39.
But the latest round of leadership speculation follows another difficult week for the Government.
It began with a series of damaging leaks about Mr Abbott's judgment and the management style of his chief-of-staff, Peta Credlin.
The leaking of emails from the Liberal Party executive followed, highlighting a rift within the party over financial transparency and alleged conflicts of interest.
And then Mr Abbott's handling of Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs has caused many more within the party to question his judgment.
Mr Abbott has dismissed the speculation, saying he will still be prime minister after next week.
"We are getting on with government, and I'll leave to others the insider gossip." (Journalist:) "Do you think you will be prime minister by the end of next week?" (Abbott:) "Well, I was elected to be prime minister. The Government was elected to govern the country. 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. And that's certainly what I expect to be doing."
The three most likely candidates to succeed Mr Abbott are Mr Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Social Services Minister Scott Morrison.
The leading speculation, if there is a challenge, is Mr Turnbull would become prime minister, Ms Bishop would stay deputy leader and foreign minister and Mr Morrison would be Treasurer.
But for the time being at least, all three are saying very little.
Mr Turnbull says he deplores the new wave of internal leaks that have Mr Abbott on shaky ground less than three weeks after the first challenge.
Mr Turnbull says he has not been speaking to his colleagues about the issue.
"I deplore leaking of any kind, from any part of the party. You know, that's ... I mean, everyone deplores that. And so everyone knows, we all stand in the same position there, okay?" (Journalist:) "Have you been on the phone to any of your fellow ministers overnight?" (Turnbull:) "Look, I ... I talk to my colleagues all the time." (Journalist:) "Have you spoken to them overnight?" (Turnbull:) "I talk to my colleagues all the time. No, I have not been speaking to people overnight."
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has also fielded questions about her leadership aspirations.
"It's just speculation. I've not heard any rumours. I've not had any discussions with anybody about it." (Journalist:) "We're already hearing, apparently, that you would stand against Malcolm Turnbull in a leadership spill." (Bishop:) "This is all speculation."
But it is considered unlikely she would stand for the top job against Mr Turnbull and split the vote in the party room.
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison says nothing has changed in the past few weeks and the Prime Minister has his full support.
He has told 3AW radio he is puzzled by the rumours.
"And I must admit, I'm a bit perplexed by them. I've been pretty busy over the last few weeks, as (has) the Prime Minister, getting on with the job of government -- over the entire time we've been in government -- and that's what we're on about. But nothing's changed over the last couple of weeks. I mean, I think what we might be seeing here is a bit of political bedwetting by some, and I think, frankly, we've got to get past that. This was dealt with a couple of weeks ago."
But Mr Morrison does say he believes the leadership of the party is for the party, not the voters, to decide.
Mr Abbott will spend some time in New Zealand this weekend to meet with his New Zealand counterpart John Key.
The meeting is expected to have a strong focus on global issues such as counter-terrorism, dealing with foreign fighters and the efforts against the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
But all eyes will be on parliament next week, particularly Tuesday's Liberal party-room meeting.
If the discontent over Mr Abbott's recent performance continues to bubble to the surface, Australia could find itself with a new prime minister by the end of that week.
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