Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Treasurer Joe Hockey did not consult him before leading a new push for Australia to become a republic.

Key points: Joe Hockey to lead new republican push

Joe Hockey to lead new republican push Tony Abbott says he was not consulted

Tony Abbott says he was not consulted Group aims for vote on republic in five years

Group aims for vote on republic in five years Hockey supported previous referendum in 1999

Mr Hockey angered some of his Federal Cabinet colleagues with the announcement he will lead a parliamentary friendship group on the issue.

Mr Abbott, a monarchist, said Australia was doing well without being a republic.

"No, we didn't talk about this because we've got bigger things on our minds most of the time, but there are lots of parliamentary friendship groups and this is just one of them," he told Channel Nine.

"I think one of the problems with the republican push is it seems to feel compelled in the way you just have to suggest that there's some lack of maturity, some lack of independence in our system."

Mr Hockey has agreed to co-chair a yet-to-be-established group, which will work towards holding a national vote in five years on having an Australian head of state.

It was announced yesterday by the head of the Australian Republican Movement, Peter FitzSimons, along with Labor co-chair ACT senator Katy Gallagher.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull congratulated the Treasurer for agreeing to lead the group, saying it was "absolutely his call".

"Good on him ... everyone knows where I stand on the republic, I am a notorious republican," he said.

But others in Government argued Mr Hockey should focus on his day job as Treasurer.

One Government minister told AM he was "blown away" to hear the Treasurer had become involved with such a "peripheral issue".

Mr Hockey had shown a "complete lack of judgement," the frontbencher said.

However, Mr Hockey defended his decision, saying he had long advocated his views on a republic.

"They are a matter of public record and those views haven't changed," his spokeswoman said.

Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne responded to criticism against Mr Hockey, saying he was entitled to be involved.

"We have to get away from this idea that ... just because someone has a different view it requires a totally over the top response," he said.

Another minister supported Mr Hockey, saying it would not affect his job as Treasurer, and accusing others of using the issue as "a proxy for creating disharmony".

Nationals Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss dismissed the new push for a republic on Wednesday.

"Let's concentrate on the things that matter most for our country," Mr Truss said, nominating the economy and security as more important issues for the Government to focus on.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said he would not be putting his hand up to join the new parliamentary friendship group.

"I believe everybody should have friends, I can't think of a world without friends, but I'm going to be focusing on other things," Mr Joyce told AM.

"Everyone I spoke to today, not one brought up the republic, I tell you what.

"They're most certainly bringing up the turn around in cattle prices, though.

"Joe's got a lot of work in front of our nation, obviously what's happening in the markets overseas is keeping people's eyes well and truly peeled."

Treasury more than 'hard numbers'

Queensland LNP backbencher Ewan Jones supported Mr Hockey, arguing he was capable of doing his job as Treasurer and being involved with the campaign for a republic.

"This is something that is an issue for a lot of Australians, myself included," he said.

"And it won't take away from the importance of the economy.

"We are more than just the Treasury, we are more than just hard numbers."

The Treasurer supported the 1999 referendum. He is one of the most prominent republicans in Government, along with Cabinet colleague Mr Turnbull, who led the Australian Republican Movement before entering Parliament.

Two reasons are often cited for the failure of the 1999 referendum: the wording of the question, and a brawl within the republican movement over whether the head of state should be elected by politicians or the people.

To avoid these problems FitzSimons proposed a "minimalist model", starting with a simple question to be put to the Australian people.

He said the question should be: "Do you support replacing the British monarch with an Australian citizen as the Australian head of state?"

Under his proposal, the prime minister would still appoint a governor-general, but rather than asking the Queen to approve the appointment, it would be signed off by a two-thirds majority of parliament.

"When properly presented, my minimalist model — this is only my view — is the most likely to succeed as it addresses the foremost concern of the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' crowd," FitzSimons said.