Tony Abbott has read the riot act to his cabinet, reminding them of the "personal and political consequences" of leaking to the media.
Weekend media reports outlined in great detail a rift in the cabinet last week over a plan to give the immigration minister the power to strip Australian terror suspects of their citizenship.
A government MP voiced disappointment in the coalition joint party room meeting in Canberra on Tuesday about the leak.
The MP told the meeting that all coalition backbenchers were keen to become cabinet ministers one day and were aware of the great responsibility that the role required.
In response, Mr Abbott told the meeting there were "personal and political consequences" for breaching cabinet processes.
He described Monday's cabinet meeting as having had a "come to Jesus moment" - a term often used in US politics for a time to examine core priorities.
The ministers had been reminded of their responsibilities in a full and frank discussion at that meeting, Mr Abbott said.
Coalition MPs did not discuss Labor's private member's bill to allow same-sex marriage.
A Liberal Party meeting did not go ahead because Senate estimates hearings are continuing.
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