In what has been described as the "kiss of death", Pauline Hanson has named the MP she thinks should become prime minister.
The former One Nation leader – now leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation – says Social Services Minister Scott Morrison would do a better job of leading the country than either Prime Minister Tony Abbott or Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
Ms Hanson made the remarks in a Sunrise interview on Tuesday morning discussing a Newspoll that showed Mr Shorten had a five point lead over Mr Abbott as preferred prime minister.
"I think voters can't stand either one of them, actually," Ms Hanson said.
"The only one I've targeted to head the Liberal Party is Scott Morrison, not Malcolm Turnbull - I have no trust or time for him whatsoever and I think he leans too much to the Labor side.
"But Scott Morrison is my pick."
Sunrise host David Koch remarked: "I am not sure if Scott Morrison would be happy with your endorsement. That could be the kiss of death for him."
"Everybody gets their say," Ms Hanson responded.
Mr Morrison, who originally associated with the moderates of the party, is now seen as the rising star of the Coalition's conservative wing and has been touted as a future leader.
Mr Morrison managed the tough immigration portfolio before taking over social services, and has been outspoken in recent weeks on his view same-sex marriage should be put to a referendum.
Last week, Mr Morrison had a private lunch with Rupert Murdoch, a day after the media baron dined with Mr Abbott. He and his family also appeared in a profile piece in a recent edition of The Australian Women's Weekly.
Broadcaster Derryn Hinch said on Sunrise: "Are we going to go into another leadership speculation period of our lives over Tony Abbott?"
"Scott Morrison will be hiding that endorsement," he said.
"Now, look, it's a twist on an old joke, if Bill Shorten is the answer, what is the question?
"These polls are bad for the government but I just think when you get to the actual polling booth and the election is not that far away, I wonder if people will have such short memories, they will forget the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd department."
