Barnaby rules out leadership tilt: 'You don't change a winning footy side'

There has been constant speculation that Mr Joyce would challenge Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for the top job, but the recently re-elected New England MP hosed down the rumours.

"That's not going to happen because they've just won the election," Mr Joyce told the Leader.

"If they hadn't won, it would be a completely different story - just like what is happening in Labor at the moment.

"If you do win, things stay pretty much the way they are."

Mr Joyce also doubted his chances of making a return to the frontbench, and to his knowledge was not in line for a ministerial promotion.

"It would be foolish to say so," he said.

"You accept that, take it on the chin and do the best job you can."

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While Nationals frontbencher Senator Nigel Scullion has retired, Mr Joyce said his cabinet position won't be reallocated to the Nationals.

"Last election the Nats won all their seats, plus one, and the Libs lost one, so our proportion of cabinet positions was five," he said.

"But now the proportions say we only get four. Nigel will be gone and that position will be lost to us."

Regardless, Mr Joyce doesn't believe there will be too many changes in the cabinet reshuffle.

"It's fair to say, with a win it'll be unlikely for there to be too many changes to the football team," he said.

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Mr Joyce said he was looking forward to "concentrating on the New England".

"I really do like being at home - people think you're making it up, but I've spent 14 years on the road," he said.

He's got a long list of big projects to tackle, including upgrading Port Stephens cutting, starting the Tamworth bypass, bringing chemical companies to Armidale, securing funding for the Tamworth university campus and getting large water infrastructure projects underway.

Mr Joyce said he won't be seeking the national limelight, but vowed to remain a voice for regional Australia.

"I'll certainly still be having a say from time to time on things I think are of national importance," he said.