Information that led to the sudden disendorsement of Richard Torbay as the Nationals' candidate for the federal seat of New England has been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Mr Torbay resigned from NSW state politics this morning after last night being forced to quit the Nationals.

Who is Richard Torbay? Independent member of NSW Legislative Assembly representing Northern Tablelands from 1999-2013.

Independent member of NSW Legislative Assembly representing Northern Tablelands from 1999-2013. A 51-year-old father of three who studied at University of New England.

A 51-year-old father of three who studied at University of New England. Elected to the Armidale City Council in 1991.

Elected to the Armidale City Council in 1991. Deputy Mayor in 1992 before serving as Mayor from 1995-1998.

Deputy Mayor in 1992 before serving as Mayor from 1995-1998. Challenged Ray Chappel in 1999 for seat of Northern Tablelands, running as an independent.

Challenged Ray Chappel in 1999 for seat of Northern Tablelands, running as an independent. Beat Chappell with 44.15 per cent of primary vote, 59.37 per cent on two-party preferred.

Beat Chappell with 44.15 per cent of primary vote, 59.37 per cent on two-party preferred. Accepted an offer in 2007 from premier Morris Iemma to become NSW Legislative Assembly speaker.

Accepted an offer in 2007 from premier Morris Iemma to become NSW Legislative Assembly speaker. Elected University of New England chancellor in 2008.

Elected University of New England chancellor in 2008. Pre-selected as Nationals candidate for federal seat of New England in 2013 to challenge Tony Windsor.

He has not been talking today, other than to issue a statement saying the events of recent days have forced him to consider other options.

A statement released by the Nationals this afternoon said: "The information was provided to the ICAC on a confidential basis and the Party makes no comment on the content of that information.

"As the issue is now being considered by the ICAC, the party will make no further comment."

Earlier today Nationals Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce said he is willing to challenge sitting independent Tony Windsor in New England, given Mr Torbay is now out of the race.

Senator Joyce, who has been looking for a move into the Lower House, says he wants to replace Mr Torbay.

He says he has had encouraging talks with party members today.

"I will definitely be turning up to the preselection and they will then make their decision," he said.

"No doubt there will be other candidates; I wouldn't be so bold as to say who will win.

"The reason I will do that is that we can't go on with this current government. This is insane.

"This has gone beyond a joke down here; there is no-one running the show."

Senator Joyce grew up in the New England region and was interested in seeking pre-selection before Mr Torbay was chosen.

"Now I am prepared to put myself forward if that is what the people wish. I'll be making sure that these people are given the respect of having their say before I go too far with having mine," he said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 7 minutes 6 seconds 7 m Barnaby Joyce eyes Tony Windsor's New England for the Nationals

However, Queensland's Liberal National Party says it would prefer Senator Joyce to continue representing the state in the Senate.

But director Brad Henderson says the party will respect whatever he decides to do.

"That decision will be respected by our party members because whatever decision he does make will be all about maximising our opportunity to win government at the next federal election," he said.

The Coalition had been pinning its hopes on Mr Torbay taking the seat from Mr Windsor, one of the key independents in the hung Parliament.

Mr Torbay's campaign was due to be launched by the federal Nationals leader Warren Truss this Friday.

Meanwhile, Mr Windsor said he would welcome Senator's Joyce's challenge.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 7 minutes 48 seconds 7 m Tony Windsor speaks with AM Download 3.6 MB

"I think anybody's entitled to stand," he told AM.

"Barnaby's on record as saying that New England is his second choice. He's actually the second choice to Mr Torbay.

"I don't think it's about New England for Barnaby. It's very much about him and positioning himself, his view of himself in terms of being a great leader of the Nationals."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has described Senator Joyce as a "friend, a colleague, a very senior member of my team".

"In the end it is a matter for the National Party, but I am sure he would make a very, very strong candidate," he said this morning.