Joyce concedes 'tough time' for coalition, supports PM

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has thrown his support behind the Prime Minister amid backbench unrest, claiming Tony Abbott's mistakes make him stronger.

The agriculture minister was peppered with questions on ABC's Q&A program last night about Mr Abbott and the ongoing leadership speculation.

Mr Joyce conceded it was a tough time for the coalition but they had to get through it.

"How you judge a person in these periods of time is how they deal with them," he said.

"...you get to a point where it appears the chips are against you and that is how you judge the character of those around you.

"They are either up to it and you stick as a group or it falls to pieces and goes into chaos."

Mr Joyce, who spoke out against Mr Abbott's decision to award Prince Philip a knighthood, said the prime minister's mistakes made him stronger.

"I see him as a human being, I see him as earnest, I see him as authentic."

But Independent Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie tipped Mr Abbott wouldn't make it to the end of the week.

"If these blokes have any common sense and want to move forward, with half a chance of winning the next election, they will get rid of him immediately," she said.