Nationals jostle to lock out Joyce bid for a seat Considering another seat: Senator Barnaby Joyce, centre. The sudden resignation of Richard Torbay has renewed speculation about the future of NSW Nationals leader Andrew Stoner, with his cabinet colleague Kevin Humphries continuing to canvass support for a challenge. After Mr Torbay was dumped as the Nationals candidate for the federal seat of New England, party sources confirmed Mr Stoner was a possible replacement. The move would be another attempt from sections of the party to block the run for the seat of Senator Barnaby Joyce, whose move to the lower house would be seen as a threat to the federal Nationals leader, Warren Truss. In 2011, Mr Stoner's name was floated as a possible candidate for the federal seat of Lyne to run against independent Rob Oakeshott - another seat that has been considered by Senator Joyce. Several Coalition sources have confirmed Mr Humphries, the Minister for Western NSW, renewed his efforts three weeks ago to raise support for a challenge to Mr Stoner's party leadership. Mr Humphries declined to respond, while Mr Stoner was unavailable for comment.