Nationals back Abbott leadership

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss says the coalition agreement will have to be renegotiated if Malcolm Turnbull wins the Liberal leadership.

But the Nationals leader said his party had endorsed Mr Abbott to continue as prime minister, who had a strong commitment to regional Australia.

"While the leadership is a choice for the Liberals, any change would require a new coalition agreement and a new message of support to the governor-general from me," Mr Truss told reporters in Canberra on Monday.