Prime Minister Scott Morrison has attempted to lift the profile of embattled Nationals leader Michael McCormack, branding their leadership team "ScoMo and Big Mac".
Mr Morrison, who has long been dubbed ScoMo, suggested the nickname for his deputy as he stressed the importance of the Coalition during his Sir Robert Menzies Lecture in Melbourne.
Nationals Leader Michael McCormack and PM Scott Morrison, aka "Big Mac" and "ScoMo". Source: AAP
"No one knew better than Sir Robert Menzies the importance of the Coalition partnership to deliver good governance for Australia," Mr Morrison said.
Divisions over energy policy have erupted in the past week, putting pressure on Mr McCormack's leadership and straining the relationship between the Nationals and the Liberal Party.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison AKA ScoMo. Source: AAP
But Mr Morrison compared his relationship with Mr McCormack to that of Mr Menzies -aka "Ming the Merciless" and John "Black Jack" McEwen.
"In the same way that Ming and Blackjack work so well together, over all of those years, I can tell you that ScoMo and Big Mac (McCormack) over here are doing exactly the same thing. It’s a strong bond," he said.
Mr Morrison was initially misheard and reported as saying "ScoMo and MickMac" which was immediately ridiculed.
But many decided "ScoMo and Big Mac" was not much better.
A group of rebel MPs, including former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, have called for the government to fund a new coal-fired power station in central Queensland with Mr Joyce suggesting the Nationals were "not married" to the Liberals.
Michael McCormack - also known as Big Mac. Or MickMac. Or deputy prime minister. Source: AAP
While Mr McCormack said he is "not against" new coal projects, he has cautioned the business case must stack up.
Mr Morrison was also quick to slap down the rogue Nationals, saying the Queensland government would first have to approve a new coal power station.
Meanwhile, NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro had a blunt message for his federal colleagues bickering about energy and leadership: "Just shut up".
