Joyce expects a fight but has clear run

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce insists winning back his seat of New England will be tough but, without any high-profile opponents so far willing to take him on, the by-election could be a walk in the park.

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers party have decided not to contest the seat with spokesman Robert Brown declaring the party had believed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull when he expressed confidence the High Court would clear Mr Joyce of any problems with his dual citizenship.

"As such, we have not made preparations to field a candidate in the New England by-election," Mr Brown said in a statement on Monday.

The Shooters nevertheless took a shot at the Nationals by pointing out they'd won the state by-election in Orange in late 2016 and run the Nationals close in both the Cootamundra and Murray in mid-October.

"It is clear rural people believe the National Party has grown arrogant and lazy as the lap-dog of the Liberal Party," Mr Brown said.

One Nation is also not going to contest New England, leader Pauline Hanson announced on Monday, while former independent member Tony Windsor ruled out running on Friday.

The conservative Australian Country Party, which was formed in 2005 and includes former Victorian senator John Madigan in its ranks, will field a candidate.

Former West Australian Liberal MP Ian Britza has been endorsed by the party and is returning to NSW to stand in the by-election.

Labor is yet to announce a candidate for the December 2 poll. Nominations close on November 10.

Mr Joyce told reporters in Tamworth on Monday he wasn't taking anything for granted.

"This is going to be a hard-fought campaign," he insisted.

"I'm not going to leave any stone unturned in putting my best foot forward for the people of New England."

Tamworth Hotel publican Luke Prout says Mr Joyce is liked for the power he wielded for the region when he was deputy prime minister.

The publican, who's not a conservative himself, said Mr Joyce's "big heart and strong head" worked for him in New England.

When the High Court ruled he was invalidly elected it made waves in the hotel, Mr Prout said.

"You get a feel for the day, whether it's a big-drinking day or not," he said on Monday.

"Something was in the air. Everybody was talking about Barnaby in here."