Nationals' leader Michael McCormack has acknowledged the federal government was "not so good on the politics" this year.
But he has urged Australians to have faith in the policy prowess of the Liberal-National coalition as the federal election approaches.
"I'd just like the Australian people to know, place their faith in us and we will get what we need to get together, and we will build an even bigger and better and stronger economy than we already have," he told AAP on Wednesday.
The leader's public appeal comes at the tail end of a year marred by Nationals' scandals.
In February it was revealed that Mr McCormack's predecessor as leader, Barnaby Joyce, was expecting a child with his former media adviser after an extramarital affair.
Mr Joyce quit the leadership soon after, citing an unrelated sexual harassment complaint by former WA Rural Woman of the Year Catherine Marriott as the "last straw".
An inquiry was later unable to substantiate the claim.
Lurid details also emerged this week of married Nationals MP Andrew Broad using a "sugar baby" website to meet up with a younger woman in Hong Kong, charging taxpayers for the domestic leg of the trip.
Mr Broad decided on Tuesday not to recontest his northern Victorian safe seat of Mallee at the next election, as well as agreeing to repay the domestic fare.
"There have been things this year which people might look at and say 'I just wish they'd get their act together' - the fact is, we have been. We are a good government," the deputy prime minister said.
"We just need to be our best selves and continue to be into the future."
When voters go to the polls, Mr McCormack hopes they'll be thinking about the government's efforts to bring down power prices, cut taxes, get more people into work and strengthen the economy.
Building better infrastructure would be a focus of the Nationals if the government is returned.
"They're the sorts of things that we do, and we do very well," he said.
As the party aims for a clean slate in the new year, he's not too concerned about the electoral threat the Nationals could face from minor parties such as One Nation.
"What do they offer? Apart from speaking up loudly in Senate inquiries and getting a bit of media attention."
Despite a rough first year in the gig, the leader insists he's looking forward to what's ahead.
"I've got great optimism."
Australian Associated Press
