Rogue Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce should settle whether he's leaving or staying with the Nationals "very, very soon," his one-time leadership rival turned political ally says.

The former deputy prime minister and New England MP is no longer attending party room meetings amid rampant speculation he plans to defect to One Nation.

Nationals backbencher and former leader Michael McCormack said while Mr Joyce would make his decision in due course, he hoped it would happen quickly.

"I'd like to think that'll be very, very soon," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

"We've got another party room meeting next Monday."

Mr McCormack was also hopeful Mr Joyce would return to the fray.

The two former leaders have had a rocky on-again, off-again relationship, with Mr Joyce rolling Mr McCorma

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