Although the Nationals did somewhat better than expected, and relatively better than the Liberal Party, at the last election, they have been afforded a disproportionate influence in the Turnbull government, and particularly in its public profile.

They have been awarded the key "pork barrelling" portfolios, they have been allowed to run issues and speak out, inconsistent with cabinet decisions, even to the extent of being able to cross the floor or abstain in parliamentary votes where they disagree with the cabinet position.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull just sits back and lets it happen, happy to have to attempt to "rationalise" the irrational.

In terms of the numbers, the Nats hold 16 of the government's 76 seats in the House (21 per cent) and six of the government's 30 senators. They have five spots in the 23-member cabinet (21.7 per cent), only one of seven in the outer ministry, but three of 12 (25 per cent) among the assistant ministers. Overall, they hold 10 of the 42 spots (almost 24 per cent) in the Turnbull ministry.