NATIONAL WATCH

Turnbull’s flagging for the result.

As federal senators return to parliament to debate samesex marriage today, there is growing speculation the Nationals could split with the Liberals in Queensland in a bid to counter a strong One Nation vote in regional centres.

Rogue Nationals popularity MP George Christensen – presumed by many within the government as the anonymous MP vowing to quit the Coalition next week – publicly apologised to One Nation voters yesterday for letting them down.

But senior figures within the government are warning against a move on Mr Turnbull to replace him with a more conservative figure – claiming more unrest will further hurt the MPs who are