The government has dismissed reports that maverick Coalition backbencher George Christensen drafted a resignation letter and has threatened to "go rogue".
The Queensland MP, a conservative populist and avowed fan of US President Donald Trump, drew up the letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull when feeling frustrated over a tense sugarcane dispute in his electorate, according to The Daily Telegraph.
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Is George going rogue?
Nationals MP George Christensen reportedly has a resignation letter penned that, if he hands in, will cause all sorts of trouble for the government.
Mr Christensen's threat was that he would withdraw support for the government unless a code of conduct for the sugar industry was established. He has reportedly contemplated an arrangement where he would jump to the crossbench but seek to sit in on Nationals party room meetings.
Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne labelled the story a "beat up".
"George has confirmed that he is remaining within the Coalition. He is a valued colleague, he is making a great contribution and the Coalition has had a terrific week," Mr Pyne told Channel Nine.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told Sky News: "George Christensen is standing up for his constituents but he is a loyal and committed member of the Coalition."
The News Corp report says a disillusioned Mr Christensen is "incensed" over the renewed push for same-sex marriage inside the Liberal Party and "outraged" he did not get a cabinet post. He is currently the Nationals party whip.
The Turnbull government holds a one-seat majority in the House of Representatives following the close-run 2016 election, meaning that every Coalition vote counts.
Senator Cory Bernardi recently defected from the Liberal Party to lead his new Australian Conservatives party, accusing his former colleagues of being in the "out-of-touch political class" that was "failing the people of Australia".
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