Ian Macfarlane has revealed that within one week of being dumped from the Turnbull frontbench, he began looking to the Nationals for a way back in.

The former peanut farmer said it was his duty to ensure there was strong representation in regional Queensland, which he said is not apparent in the existing Turnbull ministry.

• Former Abbott minister Macfarlane switches to Nationals
• Pyne ‘disappointed’ over Macfarlane switch
• Bronwyn Bishop spent $50,000 on South America trip

He said once he lost the resources ministry the “rot” set in and he was struggling to convey important issues.

“The Nationals have offered me an opportunity which the Liberals haven’t,” he told reporters in his electorate on Friday.

Victorian Liberal Dan Tehan has been mooted as a future contender for a frontbench post himself and said Mr Macfarlane was “gaming the system” because of “naked ambition”.

But Mr Macfarlane said the overwhelming message from his colleagues had been “we understand why you’ve done it Macca”.

“Getting a lecture from a Victorian is always amusing,” he said.

Mr Macfarlane was questioned about how much leverage he would have as a Nationals MP.

“I’ll have as much bargaining power as my experience gives me and I’ve got a lot of experience,” he said.

– ABC