The deputy prime minister believes the NSW Nationals should have fielded a candidate in the looming Wagga by-election, which some within the state government believe the Liberal Party are at serious risk of losing.
Julie Ham is running for the Liberals in next Saturday's poll, caused by the resignation of disgraced government MP Darryl Maguire amid a corruption inquiry.
At a lunch in Sydney on Thursday, federal Nationals leader Michael McCormack told reporters he would have preferred his party to have run a candidate in Wagga on September 8.
"I would've liked to have run a candidate, I can understand why we didn't, but I would have liked to have run a candidate and I think we would have stood a good show," Mr McCormack said.
At the same lunch, NSW Nationals leader and deputy premier John Barilaro said he did not regret his decision to not contest the by-election, but confirmed his party would run a candidate at the next state election if the Liberals lost the by-election.
"I think it would put the Nationals in a very strong position going forward to field that candidate," Mr Barilaro said.
Both Mr McCormack and Mr Barilaro expect last week's federal leadership spill to hurt the state coalition in Wagga.
"The way that the by-election came about and last week's events in Canberra have not helped," Mr McCormack said.
"I think the last 10 days has proven that disunity destroys governments," Mr Barilaro added.
The deputy premier isn't confident the Liberals can hold the seat.
"If you look on average at by-elections there is a swing against the govenrment of about 15 or 18 per cent - we (the coalition) hold the seat of Wagga Wagga by 12 per cent," he said.
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