In what is turning into an unpredictable poll, the Nationals have chosen Robert Drew, who was sacked this year as mayor of Port Macquarie, while their Coalition partner, the Liberal Party, is split on whether to put up a candidate.

The popular state independent MP Rob Oakeshott is still to confirm whether he will resign from the NSW Parliament and stand for the federal North Coast seat.

Mr Langley said Labor's refusal to contest the September 6 byelection for the seat held by the former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile was a desertion of the party's democratic principles.

If Mr Oakeshott had not announced his intention by Wednesday, Mr Langley said he would stand as an independent.

"I am saddened that the ALP has decided to remove from the people of Lyne the right to vote Labor," he said.

"Labor has contested Lyne for as long as anyone can recall."

He rejected as "disgusting" Labor's claim that it would cost too much put up a candidate.

"Because our two-party system is so controlled by spin and media hype, Labor will not risk losing, even in a seat it has never won."

Mr Drew and his council were dismissed by the State Government in February after a cost blow-out in the construction of a performing arts centre.