The NSW Nationals have rejected the possibility of amalgamating with the Liberal Party, despite a stirring speech from party heavyweight John Anderson urging delegates to delay taking a position.
The former Deputy Prime Minister told the rank and file to adjourn voting on the issue until a review of the Nationals is released in a month.
Mr Anderson is writing the report with former NSW State Director Michael Priebe.
A majority of those present at the annual conference in Sydney ignored his plea and instead opted to make it clear the NSW arm of the party was against amalgamation.
The party's Armidale and Guyra branches moved a motion to begin negotiations with the Liberal Party over a merger.
Delegates rejected that proposal, instead passing a motion that "totally rejects any move to amalgamate" with the Liberals.
A motion to reject any moves to join the Liberal Party was also carried.
Nationals Federal Leader Warren Truss said new information could come to light in the review, which would give NSW members the opportunity to change the direction of the party.
* A full report from the conference will appear in The Land, NSW, June 19 issue.