Parkes MP Mark Coulton to focus on electorate after losing portfolios in Barnaby Joyce's Nationals reshuffle

Returned Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce's new ministerial line-up sees Mr Coulton lose his roles as Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government.

Senator Bridget McKenzie has been named Minister for Regional Education, Regional Communications and Decentralisation, less than 18 months after resigning in the wake of the sport rorts scandal.

Also returning to the frontbench is David Gillespie as Minister for Regional Health.

"I am very disappointed, particularly that there's been no mention that the job I was doing wasn't satisfactory or what was required," Mr Coulton told The Leader.

"It was purely about my job being offered to someone else for their support, which probably does make it a bit more difficult to handle.

"But these things happen and I'm still the member for Parkes and very proud to be doing that and I'll continue on."

Mr Coulton said he was shocked to see Barnaby Joyce returned as Nationals leader, but was not shocked by his new-look ministry.

"Barnaby has been pushing for this pretty well since he left the leadership, anyone could work that out," he said.

"What did surprise me is that he had the majority support of the party room and obviously it's not just about Barnaby it's about his supporters as well.

"You've got to accept the vote in the room and I have done that, but it's been a pretty difficult week."

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He said he felt for his staff, who were "highly qualified, incredibly dedicated" individuals that have been "working very hard for the jobs they have been given".

"Now got to find something else to do which is pretty tough," he added.

Now there will be more time to focus on his role as federal MP for towns like Gunnedah, Narrabri and Moree, and issues such as health, skills shortages and inland rail.

"I've been around for a while, after Barnaby I'm the longest serving member of the National party team, over that period of time I've built great contacts not only through the members but also in the bureaucracy, and I can still be very effective," he said.

"Obviously we've got some real issues around health workforce, and a lot of the policies I've developed in the long-term will have a very positive effect on that.

"The real challenge we've got at the moment is to not come up with a short-term solution that might actually be detrimental to the long-term sustainability of rural health.

"I'm confident that I can still be a very effective advocate for the people of my electorate."

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