Mr McCormack said the National Party have “no intention of ever supporting the privatisation of the ABC”, in stark contrast to a two to one vote of its coalition partner’s federal council. 

The Liberals’ federal council voted in Sydney on Saturday to support a motion to sell-off the government-owned broadcaster. 

The federal council is made up of Liberal MPs and party members and helps guide party policy.

The Member of Riverina said the ABC provides an invaluable service to rural and regional Australians.

“From providing cricket coverage to those driving Australia’s long highways, to its dedicated coverage of the agriculture sector on The Country Hour, as well as its role in supporting emergency services during natural disasters, the ABC is a crucial and much-loved institution in the regions,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Nationals believe the ABC should invest more of its staff and resources into rural and regional Australia.

“We also believe the ABC should have a legislated obligation to provide coverage to rural and regional Australia.”

The Labor Party is warning that Liberal Party members will be "emboldened" to sell the ABC if the party wins the next election.

Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten told the ABC that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will come under immense pressure to go further, if he wins the next federal election.

"We've got this highly implausible fairy-tale where Mr Turnbull says I'm not really with them," Mr Shorten said.

"Well, he'll be the Liberal candidate for Prime Minister.

“If he gets another chance as prime minister after an election, the Liberal Party will be emboldened and they will sell off.

"This idea that somehow Mr Turnbull and the Liberal Party are two separate entities, two complete strangers sitting at a bar talking to each other, is rubbish."