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"[He] is given the opportunity to speak second in cabinet after the Premier and can speak for as long as he likes," one Liberal minister said. "Not once in the past nine months has he raised this koala policy, then expects us to agree to his demands. You will not find a single Liberal minister, from the left or a conservative, who thinks we can work with this man. We will not work with Barilaro."

The fracturing of the Coalition was sparked by a policy designed to protect koala habitat, which the Nationals say would severely limit the way property owners could manage their land.

After an ultimatum from Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Mr Barilaro on Friday ruled out taking his Nationals MPs to the crossbench over the policy, in a move that would have stripped the government of its majority.

Ms Berejiklian had told Mr Barilaro to withdraw the threat or she would sign in a new all-Liberal ministry.

After backing down, Mr Barilaro claimed a win in the crisis, insisting he had secured a commitment that the policy would be debated at cabinet.

But Ms Berejiklian had already agreed to the cabinet discussion and said earlier in the week the "issue would be considered by cabinet in due course". It will remain on the agenda for a meeting on October 5.

Liberal ministers are furious at the tactics used by the Nationals and have said they will not negotiate with the junior Coalition partner while Mr Barilaro is leader.

I think what we have seen out of John Barilaro is the greatest act of political bastardry in quite some time.

"Why would we ever reward bad behaviour?" asked one senior minister, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "He was prepared to destroy the government and now expects us to work with him."

Another Liberal minister said Mr Barilaro "would be sidelined in cabinet and ERC [expenditure review committee]", while another said the Nationals needed to identify their priorities.

"Is hanging on to John Barilaro more important than hanging on to their seats at the next election because the two are mutually exclusive. We simply cannot work with this man," the minister said.

Another minister said there could be "some small changes to the guidelines of the policy" but nothing Mr Barilaro brought to cabinet would be considered.

Mr Barilaro was contacted for comment. A spokesman from his office said they had received "1100 emails of support" after the Nationals had threatened to move en masse to the crossbench.

Nationals upper house MP Sam Farraway said the ministers were "cowards" for speaking anonymously and the government should be "getting a policy outcome for the agriculture and timber industry".

While Mr Barilaro's MPs were insisting he had their "absolute support", Police Minister David Elliott said on Friday the Liberals' relationship with Mr Barilaro would now be unworkable.

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"I think what we have seen out of John Barilaro is the greatest act of political bastardry in quite some time," Mr Elliott said.

Yesterday Nationals MPs had largely gone to ground.

Opposition Leader Jodi McKay has indicated her intention to move a vote of no confidence against the government when Parliament resumes this week.

NSW Nationals state director Joe Lundy said he was aware of some new memberships and others "getting in touch" to praise the party leadership over the stand-off.

"Our members expect us to fight for the issues that are important to them. And if we are not standing up for those issues then who is?" he said.

Mr Lundy said it was not necessarily a "city v country" issue, but that regions want their issues heard.

Alexandra Smith is the State Political Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.

Lucy Cormack is a state political reporter with TheSydney Morning Herald.

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'The message is simple': Liberals refuse to work with Nationals if Barilaro remains leader - Sydney Morning Herald