Nationals leader Warren Truss reckons Clive Palmer could go the way of other political ''saviours'' such as Pauline Hanson.

He said those who voted for him in protest were ignoring their obligations to democracy and putting their country at risk.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. Credit:AFP

Mr Truss, acting Prime Minister while Tony Abbott is overseas, said the Coalition took its responsibilities seriously and would get on with the job of delivering what was important for Australia.

He said other parties could worry about themselves.

Asked if the Palmer United Party was just a ''flash in the pan'', he said there had always been independent parties. ''We have had plenty of saviours in the past, like Pauline Hanson and Bob Katter. They all made a little bit of an impact for a while,'' he told reporters at a NSW Nationals conference in Queanbeyan.

Mr Palmer was the big winner at the 2013 federal election, gaining his own seat and three Senate spots.

Ms Hanson was only in Federal Parliament for a single term.