Liberals reuniting with Nationals 'can't be forced'

Senior Liberals are confident of a reunion with the Nationals, but the resumption of the coalition won't be rushed.

One week after the Nationals walked away from the coalition following divisions over hate speech laws, tensions remain over whether Sussan Ley will be able to stay on as opposition leader.

Deputy Liberal leader Ted O'Brien said he had not heard from other MPs about a possible challenge to Ms Ley's leadership when parliament resumed on Tuesday.

"I don't believe there'll be a challenge next week ... I'm in close contact with my colleagues," he told ABC TV on Thursday.

"I haven't spoken to any colleague who believes that Sussan didn't make the right call last week. She demonstrated enormous strength and dignity in a very difficult situation with the National Party."

Mr O'Brien said both parties would be stronger in a coalition, but a reunion would not be expedited for the sake of it.

"We are best served by a coalition government, the Liberals and Nationals working together; at the moment, that reunion hasn't happened," he said.

"I believe it will at some point, it can't be forced. It's got to be at the right time for the right reason."

Conservative faction members Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor are angling for Ms Ley's role, but neither have put their hand up to run for the leadership or declare a spill motion.

Liberal frontbencher James Paterson said Ms Ley had backing in the party.

"I can't predict what all of my colleagues may or may not do, but I can say that, in my assessment, Sussan continues to enjoy the support of the majority of the party room," he told ABC radio.

"I understand my responsibilities under the Westminster convention. The first responsibility if you don't support any leader is to tell them, and the second responsibility is to resign, and I haven't done either.

"So you can assume I continue to support Sussan."

Ms Ley has yet to name her full shadow cabinet following the split with the Nationals.

It means shadow portfolios such as emergency management and trade are unfilled due to those roles previously being held by Nationals members.

Senator Paterson said it was likely the Liberals would appoint acting spokespeople for the missing portfolios before parliament resumed on Tuesday.

"I note that David Littleproud has not yet appointed any spokesman for those areas as well," he said.

"We should continue to talk with the National Party and see whether reformation of the coalition can occur."