Australia PM quashes rumours of unrest as "nonsense"

Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has labelled speculation regarding his future as "nonsense" on Thursday in the wake of yet more rumours that he could step down.

On Wednesday, the ABC reported that some MPs had described Abbott as "toxic" and that his future could soon be decided for him.

However, a defiant Abbott appeared on Fairfax Radio on Thursday to dispel suggestions that he could resign.

The Australian leader pointed towards the Victorian state election as an example of what happens when parties change leaders mid-term, after Denis Napthine replaced Ted Baillieu, only to be voted out of office at the first possible opportunity. "You do not change leaders, you rally behind someone and you stick to the plan," Abbott told Fairfax on Thursday.

"We've got a good plan. The point I keep making is we inherited a mess.. We've made a good start, but we are on the right track." "Look at the record. I think last year's record is a record of solid achievement."

Abbott would go on to highlight three free trade agreements, stopping asylum seeker boats from entering the country and ending the carbon and mining tax as examples of his government's fine work over the last year. "I am very proud of the work my ministers have done," Abbott continued. "In the end, all of that reflects well on the government and it reflects well on the prime minister."

Speaking from the United States earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also quashed rumours of unrest within the party, saying she had not heard the prime minister referred to as "toxic" by fellow MPs. "I don't believe that's a description that any of my colleagues would apply to the prime minister," Bishop said. "That's not a term that they use with me. The prime minister is leading a strong team." Endi