The fallout from the coalition's latest spectacular split will come to a head with a Nationals backbencher moving to skewer David Littleproud's leadership.
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It follows two weeks of infighting between the former coalition parties, with a new poll showing support for the Liberals and Nationals is slipping.
Queensland MP Colin Boyce will attempt to trigger a spill motion against the Nationals leader on Monday as politicians descend on Canberra for the return of federal parliament.
Several Nationals members expect the motion will fail to trigger a vote on Mr Littleproud's leadership as it will need the backing of a colleague in the party room.
"David's a leader of that team and I'm pretty sure he'll have the confidence of the room," senator Matt Canavan said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at Canberra Airport later in the day, Mr Littleproud said it was up to his party room to make the call.
Mr Boyce previously said he would put himself forward for the leadership and urge the coalition to reunite, warning the party faced "going over the political cliff" otherwise.
A Redbridge poll released on Monday found support for the Liberals and Nationals fell to 19 per cent, from 26 per cent in December.
Redbridge poll director Tony Barry said the worst may not be over for the former coalition partners, noting One Nation's primary vote rose from 17 per cent at the same time to 26 per cent now.
The Nationals leader will meet with embattled Opposition Leader Sussan Ley after the spill motion to negotiate reforming the coalition after its second divorce in 12 months.
Ms Ley earlier announced an interim Liberal-only shadow cabinet, giving the Nationals a week-long deadline to decide whether the split would be made permanent.
If the parties aren't reunited by the second sitting week, the Liberals plan to promote six of their MPs to the shadow cabinet and two to the outer shadow ministry.
Speculation has swirled over whether Ms Ley's job is also under threat, despite West Australian backbencher Andrew Hastie ruling himself out of contention on Friday.
His decision could pave the way for conservative rival Angus Taylor, who has not ruled out vying for the opposition's top job despite sitting on the front bench.
However, a spill against Ms Ley is unlikely to occur in the first sitting week as the Liberals take the opportunity to target the government over an expected interest rate hike on Tuesday.
"There's one job to do and that is to save Australians who are now starting 2026 knowing prices are soaring," shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said.
"There's going to be discussions about whether or not we prosecute those issues as a united coalition or we do it separately."
Health Minister Mark Butler said he expected it would be "a shambles on the other side of the parliament".
"Angus Taylor is still pretending to be a shadow minister while plotting against his own leader," he said.
Australian Associated Press
