Joyce leaves fracking controversy to WA

Barnaby Joyce has shied away from a fracking controversy in Western Australia's southwest, saying he's got enough problems with the Watermark mine in NSW.

The agriculture minister's future Nationals leadership potential has been pushed by some in the party, who say his opposition to the Chinese-backed NSW coal project demonstrates his no-nonsense approach.

Some Liberals, however, say he should be showing cabinet solidarity.

Mr Joyce is reluctant to be drawn into the hot debate surrounding a fracking proposal by Unconventional Resources in WA's diary, beef and fruit-rich South West region.

He says he'll leave that matter up to the state government.

"I've got enough battles, as you're probably aware of, in the mining space," Mr Joyce told reporters in Perth on Thursday.

"I think I'll just stick with the one I've got and let other people fight theirs."