In the statement, Mr McCormack is not saying much on the issue, which has seen a public slanging match between the Nationals’ embattled Barnaby Joyce and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Even as his fellow MPs – both from the Nationals and the Liberals  – went public, Mr McCormack had not made any comment.

In a statement issued on Friday afternoon, Mr McCormack – tipped as a favourite to replace the besieged Deputy Prime Minister if he quits – said he was “concentrating on both my electorate and ministerial responsibilities”.

“I am solely focused on doing my important job as Member for Riverina and my duties as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC,” the statement read.

“I was very pleased to introduce legislation this week to implement several new initiatives which will deliver better services to veterans and their families, many of whom live in the Riverina and central west.

“Tomorrow I will be back in the electorate where I will be attending a series of events including a citizenship ceremony in Temora and a welcome to Wagga event for new defence personnel and their families.

“I appreciate the recent events in Canberra have generated much interest in the media and in the community, but I am getting on with my work as a minister and delivering for the Riverina.”