Coalition relationship hits rock bottom: Nats reject Mark Speakman’s sacking of Wes Fang

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has retaliated to the Nationals slapping down his sacking of one of their politicians, as the bizarre rift between the Coalition partners gets wider.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman’s attempts to sack Wes Fang have hit a hurdle. Picture: Nikki Short

A bizarre rift between NSW Coalition partners has hit rock bottom, with the Nationals rejecting Liberal leader Mark Speakman’s attempt to sack one of their politicians — then the Opposition Leader doubling down on his decision.

Mr Speakman on Friday afternoon issued a statement saying he had sacked Nationals MP Wes Fang as a shadow assistant minister over Facebook comments Mr Fang made which were critical of the Opposition Leader.

But an hour later Nationals leader Dugald Saunders put out a statement rejecting the move and saying Mr Speakman did not have the authority to sack Mr Fang.

“As Wes is a member of the NSW Nationals, myself and my leadership team have formed the view that he is unable to be stood down in this way,” Mr Saunders said. “Therefore, Wes will continue to serve as shadow assistant minister.”

The verbal ping pong match continued, with Mr Speakman issuing another statement, saying: “As the Leader of the Opposition I determine appointments to Shadow Ministry. Behaviour by the Hon Wes Fang MLC made his position as a Shadow Assistant Minister untenable.”

Nationals MLC Wes Fang is not happy with opposition leader Mark Speakman. Picture: James Gourley

Mr Speakman’s first statement said he had terminated Mr Fang from his roles as shadow assistant minister for police, emergency services, regional NSW, agriculture and natural resources “with immediate effect”.

“The public behaviour of the Hon Wes Fang MLC this week makes his positions as a shadow assistant minister untenable,” Mr Speakman said. “I have invited the leader of the Nationals, Dugald Saunders MP, to nominate another Nationals MP to fill the vacated positions.”

A screenshot of Mr Fang’s since-deleted Facebook post slamming Mr Speakman. Picture: Supplied

It came after Mr Fang, in a since-deleted post on Facebook, accused Mr Speakman of “slinking” into the town of Wagga Wagga without informing him earlier this week.

Mr Fang lives in Wagga Wagga, and Mr Speakman was on a multi-day regional trip.

The Liberal leader’s visit to Wagga included a meeting with local independent MP Joe McGirr.

“So … the leader of the NSW Liberals Mark Speakman, slinks into #WaggaWagga, pretending like the Libs actually care about the Riverina,” Mr Fang posted about the meeting.

“Did he ask the ‘Coalition’ member who lives in Wagga Wagga and is apparently part of his ‘team’ to have an in-depth discussion of Wagga Wagga issues?

“No. In fact, he didn’t even have the courtesy to let me know he was coming.”

Mr Speakman on Thursday evening called Mr Fang’s comments unacceptable, but no further action was taken until the attempted sacking on Friday.

Mr Fang has previously been critical of the Liberals, criticising them before the 2023 election by saying they shouldn’t run a candidate in Wagga because “the Nationals are the only party that should be running in Wagga”.

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Originally published as Coalition relationship hits rock bottom: Nats reject Mark Speakman’s sacking of Wes Fang