![Nationals MPs are reportedly agitating to remove leader Michael McCormack before the election. Nationals MPs are reportedly agitating to remove leader Michael McCormack before the election.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/94bbdb9e-4248-4e2e-b0e6-907576929706.jpg/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Nationals leader Michael McCormack is reportedly facing a leadership challenge from the man he replaced, Barnaby Joyce.
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There is growing fear within the party that it will lose heavily in the federal election under the deputy prime minister's leadership and he has been asked to step aside or face a leadership spill, Brisbane's The Courier-Mail reported this morning.
Two of the complaints against him are his lacklustre leadership and his inability to raise funds.
The paper says Mr Joyce is not pushing for the leadership spill but will step up if he is asked to.
"I am working hard every day to deliver for regional Australians and I will continue to focus on the issues that are important to their way of life, like lowering power prices," Mr McCormack said in a statement to the paper when he was asked about the threat to his leadership.
"Yes, I support coal-fired energy generation.
"It still provides the majority of Australia's energy needs, especially baseload power.
"The Liberal and Nationals' Government has introduced legislation to force power prices down and we will continue to work with the parliament to see that legislation through.
"My colleagues in The Nationals are keen to see that outcome as well and that's what we are all focused on."
On Thursday, a group of six Queensland Nationals MP want Mr Morrison to put the draft laws back on the parliamentary agenda during April's budget week so they can be passed before the election.
The Queensland MPs also want the government to underwrite a new regional power generation project before the election is called.
Australian Associated Press