Nationals MPs have deputy Leader Bridget McKenzie in their sights

Nationals MPs have canvassed spilling the position of Deputy Leader Bridget McKenzie after a fallout over key issues and her leadership style.

ANGRY Nationals have canvassed spilling the position of Deputy Leader Bridget McKenzie after a fallout over key issues and her leadership style.

A flurry of conversations were held on Friday and the weekend between Queensland and NSW Nationals ahead of today’s party room meeting.

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However, it is understood the main agitators – angry about what they view as Senator McKenzie’s lacklustre performance in the agriculture portfolio – may be constrained by Senate Estimates drawing several MPs, including Senator McKenzie, away from the party room.

Others will also be missing from parliament this week, including grieving Dawson MP George Christensen, who married partner April Asuncion just before his mother died last week.

Bridget McKenzie could face a leadership spill if disgruntled Nationals MPs have their way. Picture: Kym Smith

With many Nationals disgruntled with their leadership team, several names have been put forward to The Courier-Mail as possible replacements for Senator McKenzie, including Barnaby Joyce and David Littleproud.

However, yesterday it appeared likely the call for a spill today would be delayed.

Senator McKenzie has particularly irritated LNP MPs who compete for One Nation votes.

It can be revealed Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch tried for months to get a meeting with her over Queensland dairy farmers who are finding it harder to stay afloat.

He finally managed to secure a meeting with Senator McKenzie in September, but only after the Prime Minister’s Office intervened.

Nationals MPs with dairy farmers in their electorates were flabbergasted last week when Senator McKenzie told the party room she could not bring forward a code of conduct for the industry before April next year.

Two days later, she wrote to Pauline Hanson – who stopped voting on non-crucial government Bills because of the dairy industry – revealing she would bring the code to December.

Nationals under threat from One Nation voters argue giving in to Senator Hanson undermines their pitch to voters that the fringe party is not in the Government and cannot deliver.

Senator McKenzie is also the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, which by convention ensures a Cabinet position.

Comment was sought from Senator McKenzie yesterday.