Nats declare election showdown against Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams

Deputy Premier John Barilaro made the announcement in the MP's home town on Tuesday, December 15 while on a Nationals roadshow along the Mid North Coast.

The party has declared it will preselect a candidate next year, ahead of the NSW election in March 2023.

The angst between the Deputy Premier and his party's coalition partner the Liberals continues to fester following a a breakdown in relations over koala policy legislation in September.

Mr Barilaro backed down from a threat to move to the crossbench and stop supporting government legislation over the koala policy.

Soon after, Mrs Williams defected to the Liberal Party.

Read more: Leslie Williams MP on resignation from the Nationals: this is about respect

Mr Barilaro told AAP on Tuesday that the National Party had been "betrayed" and that the Liberals had "actively" wooed Mrs Williams.

Mrs Williams opposed Mr Barilaro's handling of the koala dispute and called his threat to move to the crossbench "unnecessary, unhelpful and frankly politically reckless and unreasonable" when she announced her defection.

Mrs Williams has held the seat since 2011.

"All the decisions I've ever made, all of the actions I've ever taken are all on the premise they are in the best interests of my community," Mrs Williams said in November.

"At the end of the day, we are a Coalition. I was elected as a member of a Liberal-Nationals government.

"I never got into politics to play the game. I wanted good things for my community and as a government we've delivered exceptional investment into this area.

"For my community nothing really changes, we're still in the same government. I still have a seat at the table and will keep fighting for what my community deserves."

Mrs Williams said when she came into politics, she was mentored by the likes of Jenny Gardner, Duncan Gay and Don Page.

"They were real statesmen they taught me and mentored me and showed me how you should behave as a politician - that this is what people expect of you," Mrs Williams said.

"It worries me we don't have those real statesmen around the table anymore."

Mrs Williams believes her move is not likely to change the political landscape in Port Macquarie and on the Mid North Coast.

"For some people it will make a difference and I totally respect that. But it has been a Liberal-Nationals government that has delivered for them over the last nine and a half years," she said.

"People in the community know why I am here."

The coalition agreement prevents the two parties from running against each other, but Mr Barilaro said voters had elected a National candidate.

"The only party that has done any damage to the Coalition is the Liberal Party," Mr Barilaro said.

"This is about the people of Port Macquarie and giving them the best possible representation," he tweeted on Tuesday.

"The NSW Nationals stand for a stronger and safer Port Macquarie, and a stronger and safer regional NSW.

"The people of Port Macquarie deserve to make this choice."

Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.