Nationals senator Matt Canavan denies trying to wedge his leader over commitments to climate change targets.
Senator Canavan has threatened to stage a revolt if the Morrison government commits to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
He and other Nationals MPs such as Barnaby Joyce have long opposed action on climate change because they are sceptical of the science.
But there is also speculation the grumbling backbench group are kicking up a stink to throw Nationals leader Michael McCormack off balance.
Senator Canavan will not be satisfied by excluding agriculture from the long-term carbon target, which is being floated as a potential bargaining chip to win over the Nationals.
"I don't support any move to a radical, crazy, loopy, net zero emission policy which would shut down our economy," he told Nine on Wednesday.
"This is madness, it has to be stopped. I will fight against it every day of the week."
Senator Canavan insists the open rebellion has not been confected to ramp up pressure on Mr McCormack.
"I don't care if Michael McCormack is our leader, Barnaby Joyce, or Mr Squiggle. I will always be against ideas that cost jobs in regional areas," he said.
The right-wing Institute of Public Affairs has released a new report suggesting more than 650,000 jobs could be at risk from a net zero emissions target.
The think tank argues adopting the target would threaten jobs in energy-intensive industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, electricity supply and coal mining.
