A senior federal Nationals MP admits the coalition "deserves an uppercut" for the self-indulgent conduct of its politicians in the race for Eden-Monaro preselection.
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NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance this week found himself in an ugly war of words with Deputy Premier John Barilaro as they both pulled out of the contest for the federal NSW South Coast seat.
Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud admits the situation was unbecoming.
"Self-indulgence on any level is not accepted by the Australian people nor should it be. We deserve an uppercut," he told ABC television on Friday.
"You have a look at yourself, you dust yourself off and get back to basics. We can't sugarcoat it, that's the truth."
Liberal MP Mr Constance withdrew from the race on Wednesday only 24 hours after seeking preselection following a newspaper front page which revealed Mr Barilaro had used a crude word to describe him to colleagues.
It came after Mr Barilaro announced on Monday he wouldn't be running for the Nationals followed by a leaked text rant where he blamed the lack of support from Nationals Party leader and Deputy PM Michael McCormack.
Mr Constance was axed from his position as Leader of the House in NSW, with Attorney-General Mark Speakman slated to take his place.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday said Mr Constance had indicated he wanted to spend more time in his Bega electorate in southern NSW so it "stands to reason" that he would no longer hold that responsibility.
Mr Constance changed his mind about nominating for Liberal Party preselection after Mr Barilaro's reported crude language, saying he didn't sign up for "that type of smear".
Mr Barilaro on Friday insisted he and Mr Constance remained on friendly terms.
He refused to confirm he had used the four-letter epithet to describe Mr Constance.
"I'm making no comment around what it was. Andrew and I are in a really good place, we're mates, and we'll look forward now to moving beyond Eden-Monaro," Mr Barilaro told 2GB.
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce on Friday said Mr Barilaro was the coalition's best hope for winning the seat and encouraged him to reconsider his position.
But Mr Barilaro said there was "no way" he would change his mind.
Nominations for the Liberals' preselection for Eden-Monaro closed on Friday, with party executives left to check constitutional requirements have been met.
If there is more than one nomination, the party will conduct an electronic plebiscite to vote for a candidate, a NSW Liberal Party spokesman told AAP in a statement.
It's not yet known who put their hand up for the Liberal Party but the 2019 election Liberal candidate, Fiona Kotvojs, confirmed to AAP she had nominated before the Friday deadline.
Ms Kotvojs is the Liberal front runner after narrowly losing to Labor's Mike Kelly, who vacated Eden-Monaro last week due to ill health, sparking a by-election.
Former navy seaman Jerry Nockles told AAP he was considering a Liberal tilt.
Former Liberal MP for Eden-Monaro Gary Nairn, who lost the seat to Mr Kelly in 2007, said he understood up to four people could put their hand up for the preselection.
Liberal senator Jim Molan on Wednesday revealed he wasn't interested in a potential move to the lower house and wouldn't nominate for preselection.
Former Bega mayor Kristy McBain is Labor's candidate for the by-election.
Australian Associated Press
