It comes amid a growing realisation that while Mr Joyce would be likely to win the partyroom's support if it came to a vote and he contested, the party's fortunes would continue to suffer the death of a thousand cuts.

The press conference has been scheduled for 2pm.

In Washington DC for three days, the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declined to endorse Mr Joyce nor suggest to the junior Coalition partner what course of action it should take when the Nationals party room meets Monday.

"The leadership of the National Party is a matter for the National Party," Mr Turnbull told reporters. "I have not, nor has my party, sought to influence in any way the deliberations of the National Party any more than I'd expect the National Party to seek to influence the deliberations of the Liberals."

A post shared by Australian Financial Review (@financialreview) on Feb 16, 2018 at 12:33am PST

Mr Joyce has been on personal leave for the past week, but has maintained a steady drumbeat of media appearances.

Nationals MP Andrew Gee escalated questions around Mr Joyce's leadership early on Friday, saying he would not be in a position to back the leader until issues were clarified.

"As things stand, all bets are off. I'm backing the electorate not anyone else and we'll just have to see what next week brings," Mr Gee said in a statement.


The remarks came a day after another Nationals MP Andrew Broad became the first of Mr Joyce's colleagues to publicly call for his resignation.

Barnaby Joyce at the residence in Armidale that his friend has supplied rent free. Peter Hardin

Earlier today, media reported that a formal sexual harassment complaint had been made against Mr Joyce by a West Australian woman.

Speaking at a press conference, acting Prime Minister Mathias Cormann described any allegation of sexual harassment as "very serious."

"Barnaby Joyce has denied the allegation and it's being investigated," Mr Cormann said.

More to come...