Ms Ham described herself on Tuesday as a ‘Liberal National candidate’ in one of her few media interviews to date where she was not flanked by a senior Liberal Minister.

“I’m in a fortunate position because I am a Liberal National candidate and I can go to (NSW Treasurer) Dom Perrottet...and say ‘our roads are not good enough’,” Ms Ham said.

Regardless of whether it was a deliberate ploy or a slip of the tongue, some Wagga Nationals were furious that voters were given the impression that Ms Ham represented their separate party.

Wagga financial advisor Julian McLaren, who had signaled his intent to run for the Nationals in Wagga, said Ms Ham’s TV appearance could be an attempt to trade on the party’s reputation.

“We’re a separate party; we believe we represent rural and regional areas better than the Liberals do,” he said.

Despite efforts by senior Coalition MPs to demonstrate a unified front with Ms Ham, tensions still linger over the Coalition deal not to run a Nationals candidate in the byelection.

“If (Ms Ham) is the Liberal National candidate, I urge them to re-open the preselection process as I would like to nominate,” Mr McLaren said.

It is also a point of pride within the Nationals that they are the only major party not to have not lost an MP the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Daryl Maguire quit as Wagga’s long-serving Liberal MP after his attempt to profit from a Sydney property deal was exposed at ICAC, which triggered the byelection in the first place.

“The Nationals do not want to be associated with the party of Daryl Maguire,” Mr McLaren said.

The Daily Advertiser asked Ms Ham if she had made a slip of the tongue or if her description of herself was deliberate, and if she would continue to refer to herself as a ‘Liberal National candidate’.

Ms Ham replied with a statement that did not respond directly to those questions.

“I am the Liberal candidate for Wagga Wagga, and have been humbled by the support I have received across the community – including from the members of the National Party and its MPs, such as the Deputy Premier, the Hon John Barilaro MP, and Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina, the Hon Michael McCormack MP,” Ms Ham said.

“One of the politicians I particularly admire is a National – Kay Hull.

“The National and Liberal Party members are working to help me win this byelection, to ensure there is a strong voice for this community in the Berejiklian Government.”

Mr McLaren said he could accept that Ms Ham misspoke.

“I could accept that, but my suspicion is, after being phone polled on the weekend about Michael McCormack and John Barilaro, I suspect that the brand recognition is very good for the Nationals,” Mr McLaren said.

“To be honest – having a Liberal candidate turn into a Liberal National candidate – I find it a step too far.”

Wagga-based NSW upper house Nationals MP Wes Fang said, in response to Ms Ham’s TV interview, that “imitation was the sincerest form of flattery”.

“If Julia Ham wants to be a part of the Nationals, I’ve got some party membership forms I can send to her,” he said.