The prime minister has slapped down the need for federal politicians to be subjected to random alcohol testing at parliament, following Barnaby Joyce’s display of public drunkenness.

Anthony Albanese said while MPs needed to behave responsibly at all times, testing for alcohol or drugs at work should not be part of the job.

“I don’t want to see us be in a position where we say that we are unable to act like adults, and to have the suggestion which is made,” he told parliament on Thursday.

“I would have thought that we are all responsible adults and we should act appropriately out of respect for the people who put us here.”

The comments were prompted by reactions to a video of Mr Joyce published by the Daily Mail showing the Nationals MP lying on his back swearing into his phone on a Canberra street after falling off a planter box.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Nationals leader David Littleproud have urged Mr Joyce to take leave to get the help he needs.

The prime minister said while he understands the reasons behind the suggestions made for alcohol testing, it was a step too far.

“There have been, of course, issues from time to time in the parliament, but one of the things about our jobs is we’re accountable,” he said.

“Every three years, at least, we go to the Australian people and we’re accountable for what we say and what we do and how we act.

“People need to act responsibly at all times, to bear in mind the great privilege and honour that we have.”

Meanwhile, Nationals MP and strong ally of My Joyce Keith Pitt has defended the former deputy prime minister’s behaviour.

Mr Pitt said Mr Joyce would be needed at the next election and would be an asset for the opposition.

“Politics is a lot like sports,” Mr Pitt told ABC radio.

“Whether you like people or don’t like them, if you don’t turn out your best team – if you bench your best players – you don’t win any games.

“The big game is the federal election … we need our strongest players on the field and Barnaby is clearly one of them.” 

Nationals MPs have expressed concerns for his welfare and agreed the video wasn’t a good look but are waiting for the controversy to blow over.

Mr Joyce was elected to parliament in 2004 and remains a popular MP.

He won the seat of New England with a 14 per cent margin after independent Tony Windsor retired in 2013, and Mr Joyce held the electorate with an even stronger buffer at the last election.

Mr Joyce, 56, who is the opposition veteran’s affairs spokesman, admitted to making a “big mistake” and blamed his behaviour on a mixture of alcohol and prescription drugs, adding “there’s no excuse for it”.

AAP has contacted Mr Joyce for comment. 

By Kat Wong and Andrew Brown in Canberra