"That's your idea of an easy question?"
And with a withering look, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop responded to a New Zealand journalist's question about whether she would stand against Malcolm Turnbull if there were to be a successful motion for a leadership spill.
"These are hypothetical questions and this is all based on speculation and rumour," Ms Bishop said. "I've not seen any source attributed to any particular member or minister. So it's hypothetical, it is speculation, I don't intend to add to it."
But in clear contrast to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Ms Bishop told reporters in New Zealand that the leadership of the Liberal Party was not a gift from the Australian people.
"It is self-evident that the individual members of the party room are able to elect the leader and the deputy leader of the Liberal Party," she said.
"That has always been the case. I imagine it will continue to be the case."
The Foreign Minister is in New Zealand to meet with counterpart Murray McCully and participate in the Australia-New Zealand leadership forum.
But it was questions about the internal strife gripping Australian politics that dominated a press conference with both ministers on Friday.
Mr McCully was even asked if he was concerned the unfolding leadership drama would overshadow an important visit that was meant to focus on issues such as the joint commitment of troops to Iraq.
He said he was "not at all concerned as to what's happening in Australian politics".
"That's entirely a matter for the elected parliamentarians of Australia."
But reporters persisted, asking New Zealand's foreign minister if ongoing political uncertainty in Australia would weaken any potential deals or arrangements struck between the two countries.
"Look, as I say, both countries have to deal with their own destinies in terms of their political situations," Mr McCully said.
"New Zealand focuses on dealing with its own politics and we worked very hard to make sure the Trans-Tasman relationship is a good and effective one. That's certainly the case at the moment."
Ms Bishop said the fresh wave of leadership speculation, brought about by reports the Prime Minister has lost the backing of key supporters, was unhelpful.
She urged her colleagues to "get on with the job of governing for the people of Australia".
Ms Bishop said she was focused on her role as Foreign Minister and on the government's domestic political agenda.
"There was a motion for a leadership spill. It did not succeed," she said.
"The Prime Minister asked the party room to focus on the job at hand, which is governing for Australia and that is what I'm doing.
"I'm getting on with my job as Foreign Minister. The Prime Minister is getting on with his job as Prime Minister. We urge our colleagues to focus on the interests and the concerns of the Australian people. That's what we were elected to do."
