Federal Nationals bite back after polls

The Nationals are set to bite back.

Having taken a hit in the Queensland state election, where candidates run under the Liberal-National Party banner, the expected win for Barnaby Joyce in the New England by-election this weekend will restore some confidence.

If the polls are correct and Joyce is comfortably returned, he will be reunited with his Nationals colleagues at a partyroom meeting in Canberra on Monday - despite the election writs still being some days away from being returned.

It's been a difficult time for the junior coalition partner.

Citizenship troubles which landed Joyce with a by-election and his deputy Fiona Nash without a Senate seat have been an unexpected blow.

However, the High Court's clearing of Matt Canavan helped them keep their heads up.

Canavan, who hails from Queensland, is adamant the party can go onto bigger and better things.

One of his state colleagues, Ian Macdonald, this week lamented Malcolm Turnbull's lack of connection with regional voters, describing him as a "city person with city values".

However, Canavan believes the "anxiety and disillusionment" which has made some voters consider the likes of One Nation can be addressed by focusing on jobs, economic growth and infrastructure outside the major cities.

A reinvigorated Nationals under Joyce is expected to push this message hard with Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison ahead of the next federal budget.

Turnbull's reluctant setting up of a royal commission into the financial sector on Thursday was an indication of what can happen under pressure from the Nationals, even though the Greens and Labor have also been calling for an inquiry for the best part of two years.

It's a red-hot issue in rural and regional Australia where farmers struggling under huge debt feel they have not been given a fair go.

Joyce has been a role-model for independent-mindedness, having crossed the floor as a Queensland senator more than 20 times.

Canavan joked in parliament this week that the factionally-controlled ALP keeps its MPs on a tight leash, like muzzled "kelpies tied to their Labor ute".

"They would all love the freedom my colleagues have to bark and voice their opinion," he said.