PM Turnbull stands by Barnaby Joyce

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has denied asking Barnaby Joyce to resign.

Labor leader Bill Shorten asked Mr Turnbull in parliament on Wednesday whether he had "suggested to the deputy prime minister that it's time he resigned".

"No," replied Mr Turnbull.

Answering an earlier Labor question, Mr Turnbull reconfirmed Mr Joyce would be acting prime minister while he was in Washington next week.