Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has declared his party should run against the Liberals in the NSW Senate race if they aren't given a winnable spot on the coalition ticket.
Under an existing agreement, the Nationals will get third spot on a joint coalition ticket, but party members consider this to be unwinnable and want second place.
Asked whether the Nationals should run a separate NSW Senate ticket, Mr Joyce told Sky News: "Absolutely, if we don't get number two."
Mr Joyce said Fiona Nash, who lost her seat in the dual citizenship saga to Liberal Jim Molan, had done the right thing in referring herself to the High Court and the Nationals' coalition partner should consider that.
The former deputy prime minister's comments come after retiring Nationals senator John Williams urged the party to run against the Liberals if they are denied the second position on the ticket.
Ms Nash has been touted as a potential lower house candidate in a three-cornered contest for the regional NSW seat of Eden-Monaro, with Nationals leader Michael McCormack backing her on Wednesday.
But Mr Joyce isn't convinced she wants re-enter politics.
"I think she's an incredibly capable political operator," Mr Joyce said.
"Unfortunately I don't think her mind is in that space that she wants to do it. I think once they get out of this building they pretty much switch off."
The Nationals last week chose Riverina-based businesswoman and water policy expert Perin Davey as the party's lead NSW Senate candidate for the next election.
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