Making fun of the Liberal party seems to be the new national sport, Joe Hockey has complained.

The shadow health minister and former workplace relations minister told Fairfax Radio everyone was picking on the party following revelations a serving federal MP - Scott Morrison - was denied membership of his local branch because of a factional dispute.

"Will everyone please stop bashing up the Liberal Party at the moment," he said.

"It's like a national sport for people, particularly journalists, at the moment to belt up the Liberal Party."

"I think it's in the national interest that the Liberal Party be a viable, feasible alternative government at state and federal level."

Mr Hockey said the controversy had done some damage, and that the factional structure of the party needed to be reformed.

"It's ridiculous and it should be fixed," he told Fairfax Radio.

"I think it's madness if we don't do it."