NSW Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner has been forced to apologise after he joked about shooting a Federal Liberal MP over the Port Macquarie by-election result.
A divide in the coalition is no closer to being resolved with a war-of-words spilling out about the Port Macquarie by-election.
It comes after Federal Liberal MP Alby Schultz helped-out the Independent candidate Peter Besseling in the weekend poll, in favour of the Nationals candidate.
When asked about what action was needed, Mr Stoner said: "If I had my way I’d march him out at dawn, put a blindfold on him, and shoot him."
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell was quick to reprimand him, labelling the comments "unacceptable and unhelpful".
But after calling another press conference, Mr Stoner insisted he never meant any offence.
"Am I seriously going to march someone out at dawn and shoot them?" he said.
"Absolute rubbish."