The former mayor was condemned for his public comments with Cr David Thurley stating he was "disgusted" and two other councillors trying to shut down the discussion held in the notice of urgent business section of the council meeting on Monday night.

"It shows a complete lack of respect for the hard-working mayor we've had for the last few years," Cr Thurley said.

"It seems to me what Cr van de Ven has done with his quote in the paper is impugned the motives of the mayor and I hope it doesn't become him and us as councillors."

Cr John Stuchbery and deputy mayor Amanda Cohn unsuccessfully tried to cease the debate with Cr Mack prepared to let Cr van de Ven repeat his concerns.

"I believe the issue needs to be discussed as I believe it does impact on the business of council whether it is vindicated or not," Cr Mack said.

Cr van de Ven said he appreciated the opportunity to air his thoughts in the council chamber.

"My expectation is you have a decent crack at it and not do a part-time job," he said.

"While you might be well known in the Albury electorate it is a different matter outside this electorate."

Cr Cohn said the mayor's election strategy was no business of other councillors.

Farrer MP Sussan Ley shared Cr van de Ven's views.

Cr Murray King said the mayor had created a problem for himself with the amount of work he does for council in the role.

"His 80 to 90 hour weeks set such a high benchmark for the duties of mayor," he said.

"With what Cr van de Ven is saying in 'how are you going to fit the rest of it in?' is essentially a back-handed compliment for the amount of work the mayor does.

"If the mayor actually cut his wokload by half he would still be exemplary in the commitment he has to the organisation."

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said on Monday he would back Ms Ley to see off the challenge from Cr Mack and downplayed the effectiveness of independents.

"Sussan Ley keeps delivering. Independents? They might talk a lot but they deliver very little, in fact, nothing," he said..

"They talk a big game, they throw stones at the tent. Sussan Ley is in that tent, she is making the decisions.

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"Kevin Mack will talk a big game, but will he deliver? Independents don’t.

"I’ve got to tell you, independents do not deliver whereas Nationals and Liberals in government do."

Mr McCormack will be in Wodonga on Tuesday for the opening of deputy leader Bridget McKenzie's office before heading to Sydney for a cabinet meeting.