The Indi MP has confirmed she would continue to support the federal government, even if the seat of Wentworth fell to independent Kerryn Phelps.

She appeared on ABC television on Monday morning where she was asked if that would remain if the National Party changed its leadership.

“Independent MP @Indigocathy says she would prefer the Morrison government serves its full term, but indicates her support may not be guaranteed if @Barnaby_Joyce returns to the Nats leadership” host Michael Rowland tweeted.

Mr Joyce told The Border Mail he was disappointed, but not surprised by the comments.

“Disappointing because this is the same Cathy McGowan who is so warm and happy to see me around the building and has never indicated by phone call, text or the daily opportunity one-on-one to raise any concerns with me – it is as if there are two different people,” he said. 

“Cathy, my door is always open if you wish to discuss anything with me that could be of such weight that you would make a public statement like you did about me please feel free to see me first.

“Alternatively please desist with the gushy charade that is part of the disingenuous patter that you partake in every other time we meet.”

He said he had not made any calls asking for a Nationals leadership change.

But Ms McGowan said her comments were not specifically about Mr Joyce.

“He seemed very upset with me, but I don’t see why,” she said.

“I said ‘let’s cross that bridge when we get to it’ … I said if the National Party change their leader, then there would be more discussion in the electorate.

“I didn’t refer to Barnaby.”

Ms McGowan warned the National Party about changing its leader, saying the Wentworth by-election showed “the community is saying they don’t like distabalising leadership”.

“I’ll chase that up and have a chat with him. I’ll say ‘gosh Barnaby, I’m really sad to hear you think I would do this’,” she said.

Even if Dr Phelps is elected, Labor and crossbench MPs will remain one vote short of the 76 needed to vote down the government in Parliament.

Ms McGowan said she expected to see a recount before the by-election result was final, but committed to not supporting any no-confidence motions in Parliament, because she wanted to see stable government.

“I’m keen for the government to go its full term and have the people of Australia choose the next government,” she said.

Dr Phelps and Ms McGowan met up for coffee a couple of weeks ago where they discussed the similarities between their election campaigns as independents.

Despite committing to not destabalise the government, Ms McGowan did fire a shot when speaking in Parliament on Monday as part of what she called “the very active and very stable crossbench”.

This prompted a response of “it would be nice if you spoke to the motion” from another MP.

Ms McGowan was supporting fellow crossbench MP Rebekah Sharkie’s call for data on carbon emission to be released more timely, rather than on the public holiday before AFL grand final day as happened last month.

“The underlying message is we’re not fools, we can see what happens and we want our government to be better,” she said.

“Us on the crossbench, we’re looking for better governance.

“We’re looking for more responsible reporting of the things that really matter to North East Victoria and, I know, to Wentworth.”