Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has denied "payback" motivated his cabinet decisions as the infighting in the Nationals continues to overshadow Malcolm Turnbull's ministerial reset.

Tuesday's reshuffle saw five people appointed to the 23-member cabinet, including rookie Queensland federal MPs David Littleproud​ and John McVeigh​, in a move designed to woo voters in the key battleground state.

But the rapid promotion of Mr Littleproud and Mr McVeigh, who were both elected for the first time just 18 months ago, came at the expense of the now-former infrastructure minister Darren Chester and assistant minister for trade Keith Pitt.

The ministerial rearrangement has infuriated some Nationals MPs, who accused Mr Joyce of taking revenge on Mr Chester for supporting Bridget McKenzie in her successful bid to become the Nationals deputy leader.