Disgruntled Liberal senator Ian Macdonald is not doing himself or the government any favours by complaining about the prime minister's office, Treasurer Joe Hockey says.
The Queensland senator has accused Tony Abbott's office of "obsessive centralised control paranoia", and attacked "unelected advisers" for telling elected politicians what to do.
The remarks are viewed as being directed at Mr Abbott's chief of staff Peta Credlin, and follow a stream of complaints from coalition MPs of his office's tight grip on the government.
Mr Hockey said his colleague was "understandably upset" about not being appointed to the frontbench.
"I don't think he does himself or the team any service," he told Sky News on Thursday.
"The prime minister's office is operating no differently to previous prime minister's offices."
Small Business Minister Bruce Billson said the prime minister's office was being run "very competently, very efficiently".
"I've enjoyed a very good working relationship with Senator Macdonald, (he's) very experienced, I value his contribution," Mr Billson told reporters in Canberra.
"I look forward to him continuing to be a constructive contributor into the years ahead."
Senator Macdonald, one of Mr Abbott's parliamentary secretaries in opposition, has described being dropped from the coalition frontbench after the election as one of the worst days of his life.
