Mr Foley said the "rotten" deals to merge councils across the state, which included the merge of Queanbeyan and Palerang councils, were evidence of John Barilaro's lack of commitment to his constituents.

He said Mr Barilaro "constantly changes his tune" and the Monaro region should feel "a sense of betrayal" after the Nationals leader threw his support behind the merge of Queanbeyan-Palerang when he originally opposed it.

"He made a clear and unequivocal promise one week from the last election and then he sat in the cabinet as the senior minister and forced through mergers," Mr Foley said.

"He tells his voters one thing and does the opposite in Sydney … he hasn't been straight with his community."

Mr Foley said he sensed an opportunity for the Labor party to make significant gains on the coalition government two years out from the next state election, pre-selecting Labor Country candidate Bryce Wilson to challenge Mr Barilaro.

He criticised the deputy premier for allowing a "Sydney-centric government" to desert regional NSW.

The council mergers across the state will be a primary debate in the state parliament and Mr Foley said it was important the communities had the power to make their own decisions.

"We don't oppose council mergers," he said. "But it has to be the public sentiment."

He said he would suggest each council being given the option to merge or not.

"The labor policy is that local communities are entitled to determine their own future so there should be plebiscites to allow the locals to vote," Mr Foley said.

"Do they want mega councils or do they want to revert to smaller local councils? It should be a matter for the people democratically, and government should abide by their wishes rather than continuing to dictate to them."

Mr Wilson admitted it would be a challenge to off-seat the state's deputy premier but he said it was possible.

"People are disappointed by the representation they are getting," Mr Wilson said.

More to come.