Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has come under fire for suggesting slower internet speeds are good enough for regional Australia.

Mr Joyce conceded those in remote areas wouldn't get the best internet service when asked about the National Broadband Network on the ABC's Q&A program on Monday, in a special episode live from his New England electorate.

Questioner Elizabeth Wakeford objected to Mr Joyce's comment that download speeds of 25mbps were good enough.

"It's a bit of a slip to say that well 25mbps is fine for us."

National Farmers' Federation vice-president Fiona Simson also objected to Mr Joyce's comment.

"Just because you are remote, Barnaby, you still need more than 25mbps."

Meanwhile, the man vying for Mr Joyce's seat, independent candidate Tony Windsor, received a rousing applause when he intervened, calling for Labor's original plan of a fibre to the premises NBN.

"Do it once, do it right, and do it with fibre," he said.

"It never has been about cost. It has always been about politics.

"Because one side decided to go for the top standard, the other side had to oppose it - that's one of the great tragedies of this."

Mr Windsor also copped a spray from a questioner who suggested he was running for the seat of New England out of spite.

But he insisted he would not side with either major party in the event of a hung parliament, after having sided with Labor after the 2010 election.

Both men were put on the spot by a questioner who accused them of doing nothing about mining in the region.

Sandra Banbury said she had previously visited both men about contamination from gas wells near her home and her fears for the health of her children.

"You just get fluffed off.

"It's a very, very serious issue right across this nation and you just sat there and told me you're going to do nothing."