One of Tony Abbott's closest political allies has said the former prime minister should have been allowed to stand down instead of facing a leadership ballot.

Tensions remain within the Coalition about the successful challenge, which saw Malcolm Turnbull take on the top job earlier this month.

Agriculture Minister and Deputy Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce told Q&A he was disappointed at the process of changing leaders.

"I think that what would have been better, to be honest, is if Tony had stepped down," he said.

"It was becoming quite clear that the polls were saying it was unlikely he would be able to win, I don't think Tony would have taken us over a cliff.

"I think the proper process would have been Tony stepping down and then Malcolm has always been the obvious heir-apparent, that would have been the preferable path for me."

Supporters of the new leader Mr Turnbull have stressed it is time for the party to unite and focus on the future, two weeks after the successful challenge.

Mr Joyce conceded Mr Turnbull was within his rights as a Liberal MP to launch the challenge in the Liberal party room where he won a leadership ballot 54 votes to 44.

"He was allowed to do it. That's part of the process, he is allowed," Mr Joyce said.

"There are two checks and balances on power. One is you, people, the other is within the government itself. That is their right, they exercised their right.

"My job is now to work with Malcolm Turnbull and try and make sure we have the best government."

Joyce rejects new conservative party rumours

Mr Joyce rejected suggestions a new conservative political party could be formed in response to the spill, headed by South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi.

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He said the Liberal Party was a "wide church", telling the audience political groups did not want to be a "one-size-fits-all".

"There are factions to the right, factions to the left," he said.

"There are sections of the Liberal Party to the left of Malcolm, there are sections to the right of Tony Abbott."

Mr Joyce said the rural-based political party also had a "strong role to play" in being a conservative voice.

"I suppose we are socially more conservative than the Liberal Party. I think that would be accepted," he said.

"There are certainly people within the National Party that are not.

"In the National Party, we don't hold to you having to live or die by the rules of the communal room. You can have your own views.

"Within that forum, we are generally more conservative than the Libs but what we concentrate on is regional people and regional areas and looking after them."