Nationals leader Michael McCormack has blamed pot-stirring journalists for renewed speculation he could be dumped before the election.
The deputy prime minister was forced to hose down leadership speculation for the second time in less than six months after a report emerged claiming he had lost the support of colleagues.
When quizzed about his future, Mr McCormack put it down to the media making mischief.
"Sometimes they'll put the little match on the grass and then it spreads like a wildfire," he told a transport forum on Friday.
"You get politicians who might think 'Oh gee, this is true, this is real - I'm worried about my seat, I'm a marginal seat holder'.
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"The fact is I'm just getting on with the job and what I think people out there want to hear. That's policy and outcomes."
Mr McCormack's approach to the government's "big stick" energy bill, which some Nationals are demanding be put to a vote during budget week, is considered the next big test of his leadership.
After insisting the bill remained on the notice paper, Mr McCormack conceded the government was running out of time to get all of its legislative agenda passed in the three remaining lower house sitting days before the election.
He also warned Greens MP Adam Bandt could succeed in making an anti-coal amendment to the legislation.
"Coal whether we like it or some people might not - I do as a matter of fact - still provides two-thirds of our baseload power," Mr McCormack said.
As speculation about Barnaby Joyce returning to the top job resurfaced, the deputy prime minister said he hadn't spoken to the man he replaced.
But Mr Joyce found time to speak to his local newspaper, confirming he would seek the Nationals leadership in the event of a spill.
"If it was called open, of course I would stand," he told the Northern Daily Leader.
He said he was not behind the push to destabilise Mr McCormack, insisting he had not canvassed support from colleagues.
If that wasn't enough of a glowing endorsement, Mr McCormack did get some relief from Nationals MPs after his job security again made headlines.
"The number of my colleagues who rang me to share their love and support this morning was overwhelming," he said.
"I'm feeling very safe and secure in my position."
