The retiring Indi MP has engaged in plenty of battles with the Nationals over what she says is the party's lack of regional policies. 

"It's not just me, it's clearly NSW - people are wanting them to be better," she said.

"After a bit you go, 'come on guys, step up, say what needs to be said, be brave, do what needs to be done'."

Shooters candidate Helen Dalton claimed victory in Murray, a seat in the south western corner of NSW that takes up much of the same territory as Sussan Ley's federal seat of Farrer.

Ms McGowan said the victory was not just about the Shooters Fishers and Farmers, but a message for rural and regional Australians about what minor parties and independents can achieve.

"I'm not at all surprised by what I saw happen in NSW," she said.

"If you use your vote, you can get a different result, that's what I hope people see."

It is the same message she will be spreading ahead of a federal election likely to be held in May, where she will endorse Helen Haines as her independent successor.

"I think that is what we saw in NSW, a lack of significant policy for the regions - it just doesn't exist," Ms McGowan said.

"I would be saying to everybody in the regions if you haven't done your work on a regional policy ... I think all those regional people need to be looking at their constituency."

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce had a different take on the Shooters' success, saying it was a backlash against his view that "too much water has gone to the environment".

RELATED:

Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here​​​