Senior Nationals MPs have implored disenchanted Queenslander Keith Pitt to stay with the party after he threatened the government's majority.
Mr Pitt has refused to hose down speculation he is considering moving to the crossbench as retaliation for being dumped from his role as assistant minister for trade, tourism and investment.
His defection would reduce the Turnbull government to 75 seats in the lower house, effectively cancelling out John Alexander's by-election win which returned them to 76.
Nationals frontbencher Michael McCormack spoke to Mr Pitt after reports he was planning to leave the party or establish a separate Queensland LNP partyroom.
"I think when he has a reflection about where he needs to be he'll come to the conclusion that's with his friends, that's with his mates in the National Party," Mr McCormack told Sky News.
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Darren Chester, who was dumped from cabinet in Tuesday's reshuffle, urged Mr Pitt to "stay in the team".
Rather than clarify his position, Mr Pitt pointed to his earlier statement which said his priority was to serve his electorate of Hinkler.
"I intend to ensure I continue to deliver for the people of my electorate as I've done for the last four years," he said.
Party leader Barnaby Joyce is confident Mr Pitt won't quit, while former deputy leader Fiona Nash believes the best thing he can do for his constituents is not jump ship.
Mr Pitt's demotion came as fellow Queensland Nationals MP David Littleproud was sworn-in to cabinet as agriculture and water minister.
