Australia’s PM in Damage Control as Scandal Undermines Deputy

Australia’s PM in Damage Control as Scandal Undermines Deputy
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull smiles upon his arrival at Japan's Prime Minister's official residence before meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 18, 2018. Reuters/Franck Robichon/Pool
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SYDNEY–Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull brushed aside suggestions from the media of a rift in his coalition government on Sunday, saying there were “no issues” between the Liberal and National parties in the wake of a sex scandal that has swamped Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.

“I can assure you that the relations are very strong,” he said at a televised press conference in Melbourne.