Speculation over the Liberal leadership has reached such a pitch it took a picture of Malcolm Turnbull hugging a train station sign to scotch rumours he and Julie Bishop were meeting at his Sydney home.
It all began with a simple tweet.
Journalist Ben Fordham posted at midday, "Interesting fact - @JulieBishopMP and @TurnbullMalcolm have arranged to meet at his Sydney home today. #auspol".
You could almost hear the gasps of his media rivals rushing to find out if the two main threats to Prime Minister Tony Abbott's position were indeed plotting a spill.
Mr Turnbull quickly tried to kill the assertion.
"@BenFordham you need to improve yr surveillance! I am on the train to Tuggerah. PoliticsinPub Nth Wyong 2nite," he wrote.
Mr Turnbull's spokesperson backed up the picture, saying the MP was on his way to the NSW Central Coast for an NBN event.
Although, who needs publicists when you can tweet?
Like a well-oiled machine, it wasn't long until Foreign Minister Julie Bishop chimed in.
"@BenFordham @TurnbullMalcolm Wrong information!! In Canberra this morning flew to Sydney filmed by @channel9 now with @FionaScottMP," she tweeted, as Mr Turnbull posted some scenic shots from his train trip.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott showed off his Twitter skills with an image from his data retention briefing with the AFP.
But Fordham was not backing down.
He tried to clarify the situation with both ministers and they dismissed his comments.
Mr Turnbull posted an image with his arm around a Tuggerah station sign and later told Fordham, "you have to let this go".
"No I have not met @JulieBishopMP today and won't unless she comes to the Dam Hotel North Wyong tonight," he tweeted.
Ms Bishop attempted to end the conversation with smiley face emojis and all.
"@TurnbullMalcolm @BenFordham Sorry Malcolm - as well as not meeting you today I am not meeting you tonight!!Great day with @FionaScottMP."
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