Scott Morrison says it's time some members of the NSW Liberals stopped playing "childish games" and sorted out federal candidate preselections.
It's been reported the Liberal state executive rejected a motion that would have used special powers to endorse sitting MPs including ministers Alex Hawke and Sussan Ley and backbencher Trent Zimmerman for the 2022 federal election.
All three face preselection challenges even though they are the sitting members.
A number of key federal seats in NSW are still without Liberal candidates, with the election expected in May.
Mr Morrison told 2GB radio on Wednesday the problems needed to be sorted out, or federal intervention would be launched.
"It is very frustrating and there are some childish games going on there," he said.
He said Ms Ley, the member for Farrer, was an outstanding cabinet minister and a "great Liberal advocate for the bush".
"If they can't endorse her then they should get out of the way and let the federal executive ensure we can get that done.
"Those playing games in the NSW Liberal party organisation need to ensure they focus on winning the election for the goodness of the Australian people and forget their factional rubbish."
Mr Morrison said there was "ample time" to sort out the preselections.
