Criticism of Malcolm Turnbull's leadership by coalition backbenchers has been roundly rejected by his cabinet colleagues.
Nationals MP Andrew Broad made his concerns about the leadership known after conservative senators had a range of amendments to same-sex marriage laws rejected in the upper house.
"I think, in my view, there's been a complete lack of leadership," he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
Queensland Liberal-National Party backbencher George Christensen concurred.
"A true leader would have sought to capture the will of the people and protect freedoms, not this hands-off approach," he posted on social media.
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And when Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne made the comment "disunity is death", Nationals senator John Williams responded: "Tell someone who cares."
Attorney-General George Brandis was quizzed about the criticism in parliament, saying Mr Turnbull had the confidence of all coalition party room members.
The prime minister had led a government responsible for record job creation, keeping Australians safe and "breakthrough social change" such as same-sex marriage.
"It happened because Mr Turnbull provided the leadership to do it," Senator Brandis said.
"It took the Turnbull government to do it, so that's what true leadership looks like."
Cabinet minister Simon Birmingham said the prime minister had stared down opponents to the national marriage survey and allowed a free vote of all Liberal and Nationals members in parliament.
Passionate debate should be expected when "very robust individuals" are elected to parliament, he said.
Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi said the government was in "chaos" and he was aware of one MP who was preparing to leave.
"I'm not going to do the injustice of saying who that is ... (but) that's an illustration to me of the chaos that is engulfing the government," he told ABC radio.
Mr Turnbull told reporters on the NSW central coast, where he was visiting a factory, Australians did not want politicians talking about each other.
"They expect them to be focused on the big issues ... national security, keeping Australians safe, trade, jobs, employment."
