Veteran Liberal senator Ian Macdonald says there's a "lot of work to be done" to convince voters Malcolm Turnbull understands regional Australia.
Labor's win in the Queensland state election has many coalition members reflecting on the implications for the Turnbull government.
"There's no doubt about it - Malcolm is not seen as representing people in northern and regional Queensland," Senator Macdonald told Sky News on Tuesday.
"They see him as a city person with city values. I know that is not right but there is quite frankly a lot of work to be done."
Senator Macdonald, who voted for Tony Abbott in the party room ballot which elected Mr Turnbull in September 2015, said changing leader was not the answer.
"I just hope that lessons are learned by those at the top of the Liberal-National party coalition in Canberra that ... there are difficulties in Queensland, there is hurt."
The coalition was hamstrung by the fact that an elected leader was toppled.
"I have to say that's been the difficulty - people didn't like that," he said.
"With Abbott and Howard, people knew what they stood for.
"Malcolm is a very intelligent bloke, he's very committed, he has a great vision, but it doesn't come across."
Cabinet minister and Queensland colleague Matt Canavan told parliament the government was making a difference in regional areas.
"There is a level of anxiety and disillusionment in regional Queensland that is connected with the fact it has been very tough economic times the last couple of years," he said in answer to a Labor question.
"I very much think the takeaway from any election result is not to return to Canberra or Brisbane or anywhere else and start talking about leadership."
He turned the attack back on Labor, making a positive from the fact that Nationals members are free to speak out on issues of importance.
"They (Labor senators) all want to be secret Nats at heart - they would all love the freedom my colleagues have to bark and voice their opinion, but these guys are little kelpies tied to their Labor ute.
"When the Labor ute moves away the little kelpies have to run along - they can't bark, they are muzzled."
