Has Turnbull just applied for top job?

Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull calls for mercy for Australians on death row in Indonesia, in doing so addressing the camera in a very presidential manner on ABC talk fest QA. Courtesy: ABC

IF tonight's public appearance was anything to go by, Malcolm Turnbull has come out positively prime ministerial.

With his signature wit and grin, the Communication Minister's performance on tonight's Q & A had the Twitter world a-twitter with praise, with many asking if Mr Turnbull was, in fact, submitting his job application for the top job on live TV.

The smooth-talking Mr Turnbull sounded almost regal in what many believed to be a direct, almost prime ministerial address to Indonesia to release the doomed Bali Nine duo, whose execution date is expected to be announced any day.

Not one to be plagued by gaffes, Mr Turnbull's smooth turn of phrase emerged again as he pleaded — looking directly into the camera — for Indonesia's President to release Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran

"It is the sign of the strongest love and the greatest mercy when you extend it to those who least deserve it," he said, staring directly into the hearts and souls of Indonesian officials.

"It is not a sign of weakness ... to have a bigger love, a greater mercy than any of their crimes."

Leadership material ... Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull's performance on ABC's Q & A was largely considered to be an application for the top job. Picture: ABC Source: ABC

With the leadership spill vote still fresh, Mr Turnbull was asked many leadership-related questions, including if he approved of the sacking of Liberal Party "Father", Philip Ruddock, from the position of chief government whip.

Without directly criticising Mr Abbott, Mr Turnbull said he was very "sad about the announcement", but that it was "Tony's call".

"This is Tony's decision to explain but I just want to say that Ruddock is a great Liberal, a great parliamentarian, and it was a very sad for all of us when he learnt his services as a chief whip were terminated."

Mr Turnbull also cheekily referred to Tony Abbott as "the captain" who made another "captain's pick".

"I am not going to share my opinions about my colleagues ... and I am not going to run a commentary on the PM's decisions. He didn't consult me — he's the captain, and he made the captain's call."

Fellow panellist, The Australian's foreign affairs editor Greg Sheridan, said he would give Tony Abbott a "50 per cent chance" of remaining the prime minister, and nominated Mr Turnbull as his natural successor.

"[If there was another spill], I think it is very likely the party would ask Malcolm Turnbull to take the leadership," he said.

When debating Shadow Health Minister Catherine King about the Medicare fee, Mr Turnbull also cleverly dropped a line about his time as Opposition Leader, when "he proposed" — sorry, "we proposed" — slugging smokers with a tax as "another way of getting the revenue".

Despite a lighthearted start to the program, there was a hiccup.

An audience member turned to Mr Turnbull and asked him to "personally justify the irreparable damage being done to children in detention".

Difficulty ... after a great run, Mr Turnbull ran into some trouble explaining why children are still in detention. Picture: ABC Source: ABC

Mr Turnbull attempted to focus on the welfare of children, but ended up bogged down by an argument about numbers — how many children in detention during this government's time versus how many during Labor's reign.

However, Mr Turnbull redeemed himself towards the end.

When asked how he would restore faith in politics, the Communications Minister flagged — yes, communication — and a return to a more bipartisan government where Liberal and Labor don't tear each other to shreds at every possible opportunity.

"Government and Opposition should be prepared to put their cards on the table and have a debate about the solution. And you never know — there may be a third solution."

In what could be a glimpse into the future, Mr Turnbull outlined his vision of good governance, telling the Australian public that "political contests are won — or lost — at the sensible centre".

"As politicians, we have to treat people with respect," he said.

"Don't slogan at them, don't pretend problems don't exist. Explain problems, and then you can have a debate about the solutions."

He emphasised honesty and clarity, saying: "You've got to explain honestly — no dumbing down — the problems that we face.

"The key is taking complex problems and then explaining them in a clear way — not a simplistic way.

"Once you've explained the problem, people will respect the need for a solution".