With Prime Minister Tony Abbott under fire for awarding a knighthood to Prince Philip, the man who could be his successor is being careful with his words.
While enjoying the palm trees and unusually warm winter weather of Los Angeles, Malcolm Turnbull is keeping stum about the frosty environment surrounding the prime minister back home.
The communications minister and former chairman of the Australian Republican Movement declined to speak to AAP on Thursday.
"Oh no, we have to go," Mr Turnbull said, after giving an address to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
Turnbull is in Los Angeles for a range of meetings and to attend the federal government-supported G'Day USA events.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The timing of the US trip was convenient for the man a recent Seven News ReachTEL poll found was the top choice to lead the coalition, with more than 44.6 per cent of respondents backing him.
His speech to the LA World Affairs Council, titled Australia: Home-Grown Muslim Threats and Peace in the Pacific, was off the record.
Turnbull's minders did say he would speak to the media on Friday (Saturday AEDT) when he makes another address at a G'Day USA event at the UCLA campus.
