Barnaby Joyce warns any further defections could see National Party disappear

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says the party is at risk of disappearing if more MPs jump ship.

Nationals member for New England, Barnaby Joyce. Source: AAP

Barnaby Joyce, who failed to tear down his party leader, has warned the Nationals are at risk of disappearing altogether.

Mr Joyce and co-conspirator Matt Canavan have launched a podcast warning more colleagues could follow Queensland defector Llew O'Brien out the door.

"You wouldn't have to worry about the National Party causing problems because the National Party would be no more," Mr Joyce said.

Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan have launched a podcast warning more colleagues could follow in the footsteps of Queensland defector Llew O'Brien. Source: AAP

Mr O'Brien quit the Nationals after the coup but will remain in the Morrison government.

Senator Canavan warned other MPs could follow suit, creating massive problems for the Liberal National Party in Queensland.

"The big issue here is effectively Llew has created a new partyroom," he said.

Nationals president Larry Anthony pleaded with party rebels to stop destabilising Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

"It's not sustainable and people have seen this movie before," he told Sky News.

"This is not something we do in the National Party ... Our base and Australians expect better of our members.

"The National Party always performs best when we hunt as a pack and are united."