Liberal MPs have spoken out en masse to ridicule their Nationals colleagues over a push for a government-backed coal power station in Queensland, blasting the idea as unworkable and economically illiterate.

The drive for a new coal-fired power station - led by National Party leader-in-exile Barnaby Joyce - has exposed a damaging divide in the Coalition just two months before the election.

Opposed: Trevor Evans, Trent Zimmerman and Tim Wilson slammed their Nationals colleagues over the idea. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The idea was slapped down by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday, who argued such a proposal would never be approved by the Queensland Labor government.

His MPs in the Liberal party room went much further, however, saying it was unthinkable the Coalition would support a government-funded coal-fired power station, and demanding "discipline" from their colleagues.