The Prime Minister John Howard has defended three of his ministers in supporting a candidate who is challenging the outspoken backbencher Petro Georgiou.
The Melbourne M-P has come under pressure for challenging the government's policies in key areas including immigration.
Three federal ministers say they will be supporting Josh Frydenberg who is challenging Mr Georgiou for Liberal pre-selection in his safe seat of Kooyong.
The Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, the Ageing Minister Santo Santoro and the Assistant Treasurer Peter Dutton expressed their regard for Mr Frydenberg in Melbourne newspapers today.
And Mr Howard says the ministers should be able to express their views openly in the media.
"Well, this is a free country and I lead a free party. I think what we should do is let the good folk on the pre-selection committee make a decision and I'm sure they'll make the right decision".