The have been calls on the federal government to scrap proposed changes to universities and Medicare, as Tony Abbott tries to ward off a backbench-led leadership coup.
A number of Liberal MPs have publicly called for a leadership spill at next Tuesday's party room meeting in the wake of a series of missteps by the prime minister and poor poll results.
Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who was involved in a two-day cabinet strategy meeting this week, said backbencher concerns were "legitimate" and the prime minister and his ministers were listening.
"We allowed some surprise policies to be dropped out in the budget last year to do with education, to do with health," he told ABC radio on Thursday.
While the policies had merit, they had not been properly discussed within the party and the government had allowed Labor to "frighten people" about them.
Crossbench senators have suggested the prime minister ditch university deregulation and set up an independent, bipartisan inquiry to look at the future of the sector.
The final shape of what's being described in Liberal circles as a "pain-free" solution to escalating health spending, without a GP co-payment, is still to be determined.
This week, Queensland MP Mal Brough called for the GP co-payment to be dumped.
Former minister Arthur Sinodinos, now a backbench senator, said his support for Mr Abbott was not unconditional.
Asked if Mr Abbott would be leader next week, he said: "Comrade, ask me next week." Mr Robb said "of course" support for Mr Abbott would come with conditions.
"Tony Abbott has said himself, he will retain the authority and the leadership of the party on performance."
However, there were no challengers and Mr Abbott had the support of the entire cabinet. Mr Abbott said he was "very confident" of being prime minister by the end of next week - parliament's first sitting week for 2015.
"I know my colleagues, I trust my colleagues, I respect my colleagues," he told reporters in Melbourne. He sidestepped questions about possibly dumping the GP co-payment.
"We want to see appropriate price signals in the system, but do it in a way that protects the vulnerable," Mr Abbott said.
Visiting a cafe in Queanbeyan, Treasurer Joe Hockey made a passionate plea to coalition MPs to stop the chatter.
"I would say to everyone - put the country first, focus on the job you have to do to build prosperity, stop engaging in commentary." Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Warren Truss said an agreement between the coalition parties couldn't be guaranteed if the Liberals changed leaders.
"At this stage, I don't think that is likely to be an issue," Mr Truss said.
Nationals MP Darren Chester told Liberal colleagues to "take a cold shower, go for a long run, walk on the beach, whatever it takes".
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