The NSW deputy premier called Barnaby Joyce privately just hours after he publicly told his federal Nationals' colleagues to "shut up" amid infighting and leadership speculation in Canberra.
NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro is travelling with Premier Gladys Berejiklian through battleground seats in NSW's northern rivers on Wednesday.
He's told his federal colleagues to stop navel-gazing given the state election is just 10 days away.
"Voters in my seat were telling me 'can't the feds shut up?' They're starting to talk about themselves again," Mr Barilaro told reporters in Lismore.
"What is at threat here is that we're facing a tough election, the polls are saying that."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Mr Joyce, the former deputy prime minister, this week lobbied for the federal government to build a new coal power station and confirmed he'd put his hand up if there was a Nationals leadership spill.
Mr Barilaro delivered a blunt message on Tuesday telling his federal colleagues: "Just shut up".
The party in NSW is fending off challenges from the left and right in a handful of regional seats where climate change and renewable energy are key issues.
Mr Barilaro called Mr Joyce overnight but wouldn't reveal what was said.
"While the federal Nats are talking about leadership, it distracts from our message and that's the threat I don't want to be facing," he said on Wednesday morning.
The state leader insisted he'd take full responsibility for any Nationals losses on March 23 and denied he was getting ready to blame the Canberra chaos.
"Whatever the result is on election night, I'll take full responsibility as leader of the National Party, but I think everyone is sick to death of it."
