The merry-go-round ensures a lack of smooth oversight of a federally-funded upgrade to the North East’s troubled rail line.

Mr Joyce became transport minister just before Christmas, replacing Victorian Darren Chester.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated Queensland MP John McVeigh has the portfolio on an interim basis pending a reshuffle which may result in a fourth transport minister in short time.

The member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, who had invited Mr Joyce to the North East, declined to say if she would like Mr Chester to return as transport minister.

“In a way I don’t think it matters too much, but we don’t want a lot more change,” Ms McGowan said.

“We need to settle into relationships and build things up.”

The Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said this week Mr Chester’s departure had been a setback to progress on North East track work.

She told her parliament on Thursday night she believes the federal government’s $100 million for upgrades is inadequate and at least $135 million is needed.

Labor member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes told The Border Mail “more than double” $100 million was needed.

She has written to North East state MPs Bill Tilley, Tim McCurdy and Steph Ryan, inviting them to “urge your Federal parliamentary colleagues, including the current Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, to provide the additional funding so that the passengers on the North East line receive the services they deserve”.

Mr Tilley said he would not be supporting a “blank cheque approach”.

He, like Ms McGowan, wants the contents of a completed scoping study released so the line’s needs are made clear.

Mr Tilley slated Ms Symes’ focus on VLocity trains to replace existing “N-class relics”.

“What we need are fast, safe, reliable long-haul trains with buffet cars,” he said.

Ms Symes told parliament on Thursday the track was not adequate for new trains.

“The Victorian government has invested $2 million in designing new rolling stock for the North East line to replace the classic fleet,” she said.

“For the new modern trains to run reliably and at an optimal speed on the North East line we need at least a class 2 track.

“This is a standard that applies across the majority of the regional network in Victoria where VLocity trains run.”

Asked why she described the trains as “classic” rather than “old”, Ms Symes said “they’re about the same age as me” and she “absolutely” did not see herself as old. 

Michael McCormack is poised to become the Riverina’s first leader of the National Party since Tim Fischer following Barnaby Joyce’s resignation on Friday.

Mr McCormack, the Member for Riverina, is the bookies favourite to succeed Mr Joyce and confirmed he would stand for the leadership.

“On Monday, I will ask my colleagues to back me for the leadership of The Nationals, so together we can work to grow local economies, increase local opportunities and create local jobs. We can do this together as a united team,” Mr McCormack said.

“I want to acknowledge Barnaby Joyce for his leadership of The Nationals over the past two years and thank him for being a true advocate for the needs of regional areas. His legacy will endure. I wish him well for the future.”

Mr Fischer, who led the Nationals from 1990-1999 and was deputy prime minister for the final three years of that tenure, said he did not want to be drawn into the debate about the next leader but he did say he believed the party would rebuild.

"There will be a renewal,” the former Member for Farrer, who made headlines during his periods as acting prime minister for running the country from his farm at Boree Creek, said.

Mr McCormack, the Minister for Veterans Affairs, was the $1.44 favourite to replace Mr Joyce but it is believed there are at least four MPs interested in the top job.

Victorian senator and Nationals deputy Bridget McKenzie could also be in the mix to succeed Mr Joyce.