Scott Morrison is not ruling out dumping Attorney-General Christian Porter from the ministry.
The prime minister has received advice from the solicitor-general about what portfolio responsibilities he might need to strip from Mr Porter while he sues the ABC for defamation.
Mr Morrison has also sought advice from his department in relation to the attorney-general and ministerial standards.
Labor has asked Mr Morrison whether he is preparing to make Mr Porter a "part-time minister" or drop him altogether.
The prime minister did not rule out either option during Question Time on Wednesday.
"I am considering that advice with my department secretary in terms of the application against the ministerial guidelines," he told parliament.
"When I have concluded that assessment I will make a determination and I will make an announcement at that time."
Mr Porter has launched legal action against the public broadcaster over a story about rape allegations against a senior minister.
The attorney-general was not named in the story but his lawyers claim Mr Porter was easily identifiable.
He later came forward to reveal he was the minister in question.
Mr Porter is due to return from stress leave on March 31.
