Barnaby Joyce wants a sexual harassment complaint filed against him to be "finalised ASAP", as the former Nationals leader insists he will run again at the next federal election.

Key points: Joyce sexual harassment complaint is ongoing

Joyce sexual harassment complaint is ongoing Allegations by Catherine Marriott a trigger for Joyce's resignation

Allegations by Catherine Marriott a trigger for Joyce's resignation Rural women were shocked by handling of complaint

The complaint by West Australian woman Catherine Marriott was lodged almost four months ago and is being handled by the New South Wales Nationals branch.

The ABC understands Ms Marriott's lawyer is still pushing for a resolution to the allegation.

In a text message, Mr Joyce said the issue "has been hanging over my head for too long" and he wanted it resolved.

The former Nationals leader stood by his previous comments, that the claim was "spurious and defamatory" and that the matter should have been referred to the police.

Some of Mr Joyce's colleagues have urged him to reconsider his political future, after his tell-all interview alongside partner Vikki Campion on commercial television.

They argue he is a distraction for the Government and some are privately worried the complaint could drum up more unwanted publicity.

Ms Marriott's complaint became public when Mr Joyce was facing intense pressure over revelations he was having a baby with Ms Campion, his former staffer.

A few days earlier, WA Nationals leader Mia Davies had called for him to quit.

The revelation the former deputy prime minister was the subject of a formal sexual harassment complaint became a trigger for his resignation.

Ms Marriott is a former West Australian rural woman of the year and a high-profile figure in the state's agricultural sector.

Soon after the complain went public, she expressed disappointment it had allegedly been leaked to the media, and she vehemently rejected claims it was linked to political motivation or influence.

She said she made the complaint to speak out against inappropriate behaviour by people in powerful positions, and to prevent it from happening to women in future.

Other well-known rural women spoke out about their shock at the way the complaint had been handled.

The National Party's federal director, Ben Hindmarsh, said in a statement at the time: "All complaints are taken seriously and treated with … strict confidentiality and given due process."

The relationship between Mr Joyce and Ms Campion has been under the spotlight again, after they took part in a paid interview — rumoured to be worth $150,000 — on commercial television.

The interview that aired on Channel Seven did not include questions about the sexual harassment complaint.