Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says there is the capacity for a “Dutton-Morrison split” when it comes to the decision over Agriculture Minister Bridget Mckenzie’s fate.

Mr Clennell told Sky News host Kieran Gilbert senior ministers were not likely to speak out against Ms Mckenzie because they were also “exposed” as “recipients” in the sports rort scandal.

Whether Ms Mckenzie did breach the ministerial code of conduct or not remains undecided, but ANU Senior Fellow Mark Kenny said “no one in the government likes this story running on as long as it has”.

“Their stock answer is to stand by their minister until such time as they no longer do”.