Julie Bishop calls Karl Stefanovic’s questions ‘silly’ on Today show

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has rejected claims Joe Hockey will be dumped as treasurer despite calls for him to be replaced.

Tony Abbott is reportedly under pressure to replace Mr Hockey with Malcolm Turnbull if he wants to survive as Prime Minister following the motion for a leadership spill on Monday.

Ms Bishop was grilled by the Today show’s Karl Stefanovic on Tuesday but she was adamant Mr Hockey would keep his job.

‘Joe’s continuing as treasurer,’ she said.

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Foreign Minister Julie Bishop rejected claims Joe Hockey will be dumped as treasurer on Channel Nine’s Today show on Tuesday despite calls for him to be replaced

‘In fact, we had a very strong discussion, a very frank discussion in cabinet last night about the budget he is now preparing.’ 

Mr Hockey has faced criticism from within his own party over last year’s budget and the Prime Minister has reportedly been under pressure about the treasurer since before Christmas. 

Some believe he didn’t work hard enough to sell its measures to the community, exposing the government to a voter backlash. 

Stefanovic repeatedly asked Ms Bishop about the treasurer’s fate, but she calmly noted ministerial positions were the prime minister’s call.

Despite being grilled by Karl Stefanovic, Ms Bishop continued to say Joe Hockey would keep his job and eventually laughed off questions 

Stefanovic repeatedly asked Ms Bishop about the treasurer’s fate, but she calmly noted ministerial positions were the Prime Minister’s call

‘Just to clarify, Joe Hockey won’t be replaced?’ Stefanovic said. 

Ms Bishop hit back: ‘This is prime minister’s call… yesterday the prime inister and Joe Hockey were talking about the preparations for the budget.’

‘The leader is elected, the deputy is elected – and the leader chooses his cabinet.’

Ms Bishop eventually laughed off Stefanovic’s questions after he noted she couldn’t guarantee anyone’s positions. 

‘Karl, this is a silly line of questioning,’ she said.

‘How else do you think people get elected treasurer? Do you think they wake up one morning and they’re treasurer?’ 

Tony Abbott is reportedly under pressure to replace Mr Hockey with Malcolm Turnbull if he wants to survive as Prime Minister following the motion for a leadership spill on Monday

Mr Hockey has faced criticism from within his own party over last year’s budget and the Prime Minister has reportedly been under pressure about the treasurer since before Christmas

It comes as Mr Abbott is facing pressure to dump Mr Hockey as treasurer, the Financial Review reports. 

‘The ball is now in the PM’s court, he makes big changes or risks losing it all,’ one minister told the newspaper. 

‘The answer is to make Malcolm Treasurer, he will boost business confidence, investor confidence and consumer confidence.’

Another minister reportedly said there had to be significant change if the Coalition wanted to repair the budget.  

‘Hockey is unfinished business. He can’t survive with Joe,’ the minister said, adding this view was common, but not unanimous, in cabinet.’ 

Liberal party members met on Monday to vote on a motion to spill the leadership. 

It was defeated 61 to 39. 

Julie Bishop defended Joe Hockey’s position saying ‘Joe’s continuing as treasurer’

Mr Abbott is reportedly facing pressure to replace Mr Hockey with Malcolm Turbull (pictured with Julie Bishop)

Asked about the possibility government ministers had broken ranks to vote in favour of the spill motion – after indicating they wouldn’t – Ms Bishop said it was pure speculation.

‘I know many members were holding their cards very close to their chest and were not talking about how they voted, and that right has to be respected,’ she said.

Ms Bishop said she wouldn’t state ‘on national television’ how she voted because it would put unfair pressure on the others.

‘But I think everybody knows the position I take as deputy,’ Ms Bishop said. ‘The deputy’s job is to support the leader that the party room have elected.’