Liberal backbenchers are considering calling a meeting to discuss the "direction of the team", with speculation rife about Prime Minister Tony Abbott's leadership following his decision to make Prince Philip a knight.
One MP, who did not want to be named, said there were "serious and real" discussions about getting the backbench together over coming weeks. The MP likened the move to cricket, saying if the captain made as many bad picks as Mr Abbott had, "you could expect the players to want to call a meeting to discuss the direction of the team".
The MP said the decision to knight Prince Philip, in an apparent violation of Mr Abbott's own pledge that knights and dames would be for pre-eminent Australians, was a "total disaster".
"He's doing whatever the hell he wants in a self-indulgent fashion and everyone is deeply embarrassed," the MP said.
"Liberals are turning on Tony Abbott. There's a changing climate, things are very serious, they're progressing and progressing very fast."
The MP said Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was a likely option to replace Mr Abbott but other candidates are possible in the current climate. Mr Abbott is not facing the imminent threat of a challenge.
Another government MP, who also did not want to be named, said Mr Abbott needed to start better listening to the community and his backbench. The MP warned "he's going down unless he changes his leadership style". A third MP confirmed there are "rumblings in the camp".
Several MPs said they were getting hammered by Liberal Party branch members at meetings about Mr Abbott's performance. Nearly half a dozen complained about Mr Abbott's office, saying it failed to communicate with the backbench or cabinet.
Queensland Liberal National Senator Matt Cananvan told Fairfax Media on Tuesday: "I've seen us kick more own goals over summer than I've seen in the Asian Cup".
Mr Abbott confirmed on Australia Day that his decision to knight Prince Philip was another "captain's pick", which to date have included his paid parental leave scheme, attempt to slash Medicare rebates by $20, and restoration of knights and dames.
South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, a constitutional monarchist, joined public criticism on Tuesday.
"Based on all the feedback I've received it would appear the PM has found a surefire way to unite all Australians," Senator Bernardi told Fairfax Media.
Queensland Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming told Sky he did not support the decision and said "many people around the country are shocked by the call". He said it had been the source of "mirth" at Australia Day events.
Cabinet minister Barnaby Joyce became the first cabinet minister to publicly criticise the Prime Minister's decision saying he preferred the honours be kept for Australians.
"I'm always of the strong belief that all awards should be for Australians," he said.
Senior ministers defended Mr Abbott's knighthood decision on Tuesday but stressed they were not involved.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator Michaelia Cash, told Fairfax Media Prince Philip was deserving of a knighthood because of the thousands of Australians have completed the Duke of Edinburgh award.
"As the Prime Minister said yesterday that was his choice, so you'd need to ask the Prime Minister," she said.
Senator Cash denied there were implications for Mr Abbott's leadership: "Absolutely not, just look at our record of achievement," she said.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann also confirmed he was not consulted but brushed aside criticism of the Prime Minister.
"I don't agree that there are growing concerns about the Prime Minister's leadership," Mr Cormann told ABC radio. "The Prime Minister has got the strong support of his party room. The Prime Minister's done an outstanding job for Australia and as leader of the Liberal Party now for more than five years."
Queensland Liberal National backbencher Ewen Jones led the immediate backbench criticism of Mr Abbott on Australia Day but on Tuesday said it was "certainly not a leadership thing".
"This has nothing to do with the government, this has nothing to do with the party, everyone knows where Tony Abbott sits with the monarchy," he said.
"I don't want to take away from what Prince Philip has done but he's not Australian."
Mr Jones said while he didn't support restoring knights and dames he noted there was broad support in his electorate for awarding the titles to governors-general.
Mr Jones said it was up to Mr Abbott to determine whether this became a "defining moment" or "not even a footnote" and said the situation could be resolved by returning to core business.
