Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie has thrown his hat in the ring for deputy leader of the National Party.
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The position became vacant with the resignation of former agriculture minister Bridget McKenzie on Sunday afternoon. She resigned over the sports rorts scandal that had engulfed the coalition government.
It is expected the Nationals will vote for a new deputy on Tuesday, February 4.
Dr Gillespie won the federal seat in 2013 following the retirement of Rob Oakeshott. He contested the seat three years earlier and despite losing the seat made headway with an 11-point swing.
Over the past seven years, Dr Gillespie has held various positions within the coalition government including serving as the assistant minister for rural health and for children and families.
The Lyne MP won't have an easy path to the deputy's role with a number of high-profile candidates lining up for a tilt at the position.
Water Minister David Littleproud will contest for the position while Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester is weighing up a tilt too.
Controversial former leader Barnaby Joyce says he will challenge Michael McCormack for the leadership of the National Party if the position is spilled.
"If there is a spill then I will put my hand up," Mr Joyce told the Seven Network on Monday.
"I will leave that up to my colleagues. They can make the call."
Mr McCormack is confident he will continue as leader.
"There is no vacancy for the leadership, at the moment, of the National Party," he told reporters at Parliament House.
Dr Gillespie openly criticised Mr McCormack's leadership but refused to say whether he would support a spill motion.
"He needs to do more than the bush-regional media. When you're in a leadership position you've got to do the national stuff as well," Dr Gillespie told reporters.
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He said Mr Joyce did his "fair share" of media as the party's most prominent backbench MP.
Cowper MP Pat Conaghan said he had still not made up his mind who he would vote for as deputy leader of the party.
"There are many good contenders and whatever the outcome, the Nationals will continue to work for regional and rural Australia."
