A group of Nationals will meet with deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce to “tell him where the party stands” on his leadership, as Mr Joyce faces growing pressure to resign over a recently exposed affair with his former media advisor.
Nationals MP Ken O’Dowd confirmed the delegation would go to see Mr Joyce soon, and hoped to have the matter “resolved today or tomorrow”.
“He’ll probably need the advice, and someone needs to tell him where the party stands at this stage,” Mr O’Dowd told reporters outside Parliament House on Wednesday morning.
“It will be a cordial meeting.”
Mr O’Dowd said there were plenty of capable candidates if the scandal triggered a leadership spill. He has previously suggested he may put his hand up for the leadership himself.
“We would find a good leader, I feel sure about that,” he said.
The MP said he had not heard from Mr Joyce in the past 24 hours.
Allies jump to Joyce's defence
Forcing the Nationals leader to step down would require the majority of the 21-member party room.
But others in the Nationals have jumped to their leader's defence. MP David Littleproud said "of course" Mr Joyce retained the support of the majority of members. "He's done an amazing job for regional and rural Australia," he said.
Nationals whip Michelle Landry said she believed Mr Joyce still had the numbers and would "remain our leader".
Senior Nationals MP and Veterans Affairs Minister Michael McCormack, who has missed out twice on becoming deputy leader, denied any involvement in conversations with colleagues about replacing Mr Joyce.
“No I haven't,” he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
