Media reports suggest Barnaby Joyce will have another crack at getting his old job back as Nationals leader, possible as early as Monday, unhappy with the course Michael McCormack is taking for the party.

"These are matters for the National Party ... I'm not going to inject myself into the National's process," Senator Payne, the foreign affairs minister, told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday.

"Liberals, and frankly, any other party speculating on the leadership processes of a coalition colleague or another party in the Parliament is never helpful and I don't intend to contribute to that."

Mr McCormack told the ABC on Saturday he was not going to be distracted by "unsourced" reports about a potential challenge from Mr Joyce.

"I am concentrating to make sure we get things sorted during this pandemic which has killed 3.8 million people and we have a big job to do for and on behalf of all Australians," Mr McCormack said.

"If others want to talk about themselves then that is a matter for them."

Mr Joyce last challenged for the top job in February 2020, but failed to get sufficient numbers, resulting in his key backer, Matt Canavan, losing his resources ministry position.

It also saw Agriculture Minister David Littleproud voted in as deputy Nationals leader.

Reports suggest there is friction within the party over the government's position on climate change and the gradual move to endorsing next zero emissions by 2050.

Senator Payne confirmed that 2050 is the preferred target.

"The prime minister's been very clear that it is an objective of achieving net zero emissions as soon as possible and preferably by 2050," she said.

If a spill went ahead, it could lead to a disruptive parliamentary sitting week, the last before the long winter recess.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will only be able to look on developments from afar, as he continues his isolation in The Lodge after his trip to Europe to attend the G7 meeting as a guest.

He will appear online during parliamentary question time.

Australian Associated Press