Roundup: Embattled Australian PM pleads for calm as Turnbull denies leadership ambitions

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has pleaded with the media to "stop navel gazing" in the wake of speculation that he may be forced to call a leadership spill.

It comes after three federal government MPs called for action on Tuesday night in the form of a leadership vote at next week's party room meeting, as Abbott's future continued to dominate the political landscape.

Amid a host of rumors that circulated throughout the day, a spokesperson from the office of communications minister Malcolm Turnbull was also forced to deny reports he was attempting to canvass support if a spill was called.

However, among the rumors, Abbott remained resilient on Wednesday, saying the previous Labor government had proved ousting a leader mid-term was harmful following the saga involving Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.

"We have a robust party room, we've always had a robust party room and I hope that will always continue," Abbott told Macquarie Radio.

"I've had members of parliament stand up and tell me to my face in the party room over the years that I've got this wrong, I've got that wrong, I'm this, I'm that, I'm so-and-so and that's their democratic right."

"What I think everyone in the party room understands is that the last thing we should do is go anywhere near reproducing the rabble of the Labor years."

On Tuesday, Western Australian MP Dennis Jensen had backed up claims from Australian media that around 30 government MPs were in favor of a leadership change.

However, treasurer Joe Hockey refused to believe those reports, calling on the MPs no longer in support of Abbott to show themselves.

"That's gossip, I don't know, if there's dozens, come out dozens," Hockey told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"There are 102 people in the party room, about 43 in the ministry. I have no doubt that everyone is supporting the prime minister, the cabinet is unanimous in its support of the prime minister."

"I can understand that various members of parliament have grievances and on behalf of their constituents they should air them."

Deputy Liberal leader and foreign minister Julie Bishop was also forced to silence rumors that she may challenge Abbott if a leadership spill was caused.

Although she did move to reiterate her support for the prime minister, she told The Financial Review on Wednesday that Abbott's critics deserve the opportunity to "act as they see fit."

Earlier, government frontbencher and education minister Christopher Pyne had suggested that Bishop would be insulted by having to confirm her loyalty to Abbott.

"Julie has been the deputy since 2007 and I think she was insulted, a little offended about the idea she wasn't totally loyal to Tony Abbott," Pyne told Channel Nine on Wednesday.

"I think she felt that she didn't need to prove her loyalty."

Despite the pressure, Abbott continued to rule out the possibility of a leadership spill. Endi