Mr McCormack also did not comment about his position should the Liberal leadership changes, saying “I don’t comment on any hypothetical scenarios”.

“The leadership of the Liberal Party is a matter for the Liberals,” he said.

In a dramatic day in Federal Parliament on Thursday, Julie Bishop, Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton are set to contend for the Liberal Party leadership, pending the outcome of a petition for a leadership spill.

Former Health Minister Greg Hunt is the candidate for deputy should Mr Dutton gain the leadership.

Dominic O’Sullivan, a CSU academic in politics, said that while The Nationals wanted “to stay out of the situation”, the party “is not pleased by what it’s seeing”.

“McCormack may well find a swing against him should Dutton gain power and regardless of whether he [McCormack] stays as deputy or not,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“But I don’t think it would be a huge swing – it’s a very safe National seat,” he said.

Mr O’Sullivan said the whole situation was “obviously very bad for the government”.

“People, whatever their political or philosophical beliefs, don’t like disunity, and that’s what we’ve seen in the past few days,” he said.

Mr McCormack said he remained focused on “standing up for the people of regional Australia” and “doing the best I can to deliver on their behalf”. “Especially those in the Riverina,” he said.

Mr McCormack said the coalition was “the most successful political partnership in the nation’s history”.

“It has enabled The Nationals to play an assertive role, delivering results for people who live and work in regional Australia,” he said.

Mr Turnbull said he was waiting for the petition to carry a majority in favour of the spill before holding a party meeting at midday on Friday.

Labor has slammed the situation, saying the country no longer had a functioning government.

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