Nationals candidate feels 'fed to wolves'

The Nationals candidate in the rural West Australian seat of O'Connor says he's angry his party has "fed him to the wolves" under a preference deal with Labor.

John Hassell hopes to beat Liberal Rick Wilson, who holds the vast seat with a 0.9 per cent margin over the Nationals on a two-candidate preferred basis.

Mr Hassell, a Pingelly farmer, is angry at his own party after a preference swap was reached under which Labor will preference the Liberals over the Nationals in O'Connor, the WA seat of Durack and the Victorian seat of Murray.

The Liberals will preference Labor above the Greens in inner-city electorates in return.

"I really do feel pretty pissed off that they (the Nationals) have effectively fed us to the wolves - we're sacrificial lambs, and I think that's a bit rotten that the party can't come over and campaign with us," Mr Hassell told AAP.

"We're going out and fighting like hell for the National party and we're not getting much in the way of help.

"It leaves a bit of a bad taste in your mouth."

Meanwhile, the WA Nationals were "doing a fantastic job", with leader Terry Redman showing gumption by crossing the floor against alliance partners the Liberals over the proposed sale of Fremantle Port.

"(Federal Nationals leader) Barnaby (Joyce) doesn't seem to be able to - rather, the whole National party - doesn't seem to be able to step outside what the coalition has agreed," Mr Hassell said.

"The National party at the federal level is tied to the apron strings of the Liberal party ... and they can't cross the floor."