Scott Morrison has urged coalition troops to remain united as his government faces battles on multiple fronts including the treatment of women and coronavirus vaccines.
The prime minister likened the government's situation to being on a narrow track he walked in Papua New Guinea after completing the Kokoda Trail.
Mr Morrison said he slipped on the track which skirted cliffs and bends before being saved by a "very big" local guide.
"We've been on narrow paths before colleagues, and we've walked them together," he told Liberal and Nationals MPs on Tuesday.
"Sometimes the path is wide and the walk is more gentle, but the path is now narrow so we must watch out for each other and we must support each other."
After weeks of pressure over rape allegations, Labor has edged in front in the latest Newspoll 52 to 48 on a two-party preferred basis.
Mr Morrison said it had been a tough time but stressed outcomes were crucial, noting the fifth national plan to tackle violence against women and a range of other programs.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack urged senators and MPs to hold their nerve and stay the course after difficult recent weeks.
"If politics was easy everyone would be doing it," he said.
Mr McCormack said the May federal budget would represent a reset for the government's direction.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told colleagues to be prepared for a rough couple of months as JobKeeper wage subsidies come to an end.
"We will respond with targeted programs where appropriate," he said.
Retiring Liberal MP Nicolle Flint said it had been a tough period for women which had left voters wanting answers on how the government was responding.
But she said Labor had a serious problem with women, noting abuse she copped during the last election campaign.
The government has been under immense pressure after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins said she was raped by a colleague at parliament in 2019.
Attorney-General Christian Porter has launched defamation action against the ABC after publicly identifying himself as the subject of historical rape allegations.
He is on medical leave until March 31.
While one coalition politician raised an independent review body for the ABC, another warned of further attacks on the national broadcaster and political opponents.
"We have to be careful it doesn't look like we're moving away from dealing with the issue at hand. When they go low we go high."
Another partyroom member said the government should push back against the narrative that the coalition is anti-women.
But another MP said concerns must be heeded.
"We do need more women engaged in our political party. We need to further improve a pipeline of female candidates and potential members of parliament."
Labor leader Anthony Albanese nominated affordable child care, increasing wages and supporting jobs as critical areas to target at the next election.
"This is a government that keeps telling people it is not on their side," he told caucus.
