Senior Coalition figures are warning that dumping Bridget McKenzie from the ministry over the sports rorts affair will not only further destabilise the Nationals but could reverberate through Scott Morrison's office which had some input in allocating the grants.

As the government awaits the release this week of an investigation by the head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Phil Gaetjens, there was a growing hesitancy to see the Minister sacked because of potential internal repercussions.