Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (C) speaks as former Australian Defence Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss
IN PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (C) speaks as former Australian Defence Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss look on during a media conference at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Pearce, located north of Perth March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Kane/Pool

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott apparently found a rare supporter of his leadership. Federal Communication Minister Malcolm Turnbull said that Abbott was the best person to be the prime minister of the country.

Malcolm said that every member of the Coalition party room was behind Abbott. There was an attempt to challenge Abbott’s leadership three weeks back. However, Abbott won the challenge by 61 votes to 39. According to many, Turnbull is all set to replace Abbott as the leader of the party because of his popularity among voters.

Turnbull, on the other hand, said that all the 102 members of the party room had confidence in Abbott. He said that all the members were committed to “giving Australia sound, responsible, good government.” He said that the members had confidence in Abbott’s leadership.

Turnbull, however, talked about the recent spill motion. He said that it had not been carried and confirmed that “every single one” of the party members were “behind the leader.” Turnbull also appreciated Abbott’s intelligence, bravery and courage. He also praised the Australian PM for his thoughtful actions.

The communication minister said that there were many similarities between Abbott and him even though there was a perceived difference between the two on certain social issues. Abbott is against gay marriage while Turnbull is in favour of it. "Both of us believe the party room should decide whether there should be a free vote," Turnbull said, "So the idea that there's this massive gulf between us is quite imaginary and it's been put around by people, frankly, who I suspect don't bear either Tony or me a lot of good will."

Turnbull said that there was no way there would be a second spill. Such a spill is "a mixture of feverish imagination laced with late nights and probably a glass or two of wine too many," he said. When he was asked if he had the courage to challenge Abbott’s leadership, he said that his ticker was in “very good shape.”

Turnbull added that a leader of a political party would require only one attribute, which is to have the confidence of the party room. That is why, he said, that Abbott was the best person to lead the party at the moment as he did have the confidence.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@IBTimes.com.au