O'Farrell not interested in Canberra

Barry O'Farrell has denied he's considering a move to the Senate as expectations mount the former NSW premier will soon announce his retirement from state politics.

Mr O'Farrell quit as premier in April after giving misleading evidence to the ICAC about a $3000 bottle of wine from Liberal donor Nick Di Girolamo.

Now he's denied reports he sounded out colleagues about a possible switch to the federal upper house.

"More media BS. I've not had any discussions about a switch to Federal politics," he posted on Twitter.

"Everyone knows I'd view a shift to any upper house as 'cruel & unusual' punishment! #justsaying."

Asked on Twitter if that meant he was interested in a lower house seat, Mr O'Farrell replied: "Only at the State level. (What part of no interest in a switch to Federal politics don't people understand?)."

Mr O'Farrell didn't discuss his future in state politics.

He holds the northern Sydney seat of Ku-ring-gai on a 37 per cent margin.

The ultra safe seat is hot property for the Liberal Party and is expected to attract a number of interested candidates should he bow out of parliament at the March state election.

Mr O'Farrell's good friend and state Coalition colleague Duncan Gay said the former premier would be missed if he retired from NSW parliament.

"He did a great job as premier of this state," he said.