Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has increased pressure on Peter Dutton to refer himself to the High Court, saying there is a "need for clarity" around whether the Home Affairs Minister was invalidly elected to Parliament.

Asked whether she agreed with former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull that Mr Dutton's future should be determined by the High Court, Ms Bishop said she wanted "clarity around the standing of all members of Parliament".

Fairfax Media revealed on Thursday that Mr Turnbull had been texting and calling former colleagues from New York urging them to cross the floor and vote with Labor to have Mr Dutton sent to the court - a move that could potentially threaten the government's majority in the House of Representatives.

Former deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop says MPs have an obligation to clear up doubts about their eligibility. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce accused Mr Turnbull of running "an active campaign to try and remove us as the government. Boy, that is bitterly disappointing".

Asked if there was "wrecking and sniping going on", Mr Joyce said "I think that would be a fair comment''.

"Why is Malcolm doing this? I don't know but it's not looking good. He's got a legacy, a good legacy, and he shouldn't, basically, impugn it," Mr Joyce said.