Nationals MP Leslie Williams calls on John Barilaro to provide timeline on his resignation
State education minister and Nationals MP Sarah Mitchell has thrown her “full support” behind John Barilaro after a colleague broke ranks calling on the Deputy Premier to quit in the wake of the Eden Monaro debacle.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- PM’s right-hand-man foils Barra’s by-election hopes
- Ex-Nats leader lashes out over Eden Monaro debacle
State education minister and Nationals MP Sarah Mitchell has thrown her “full support” behind John Barilaro, telling her colleagues to express any opinions about the leadership within the party room.
It comes after Nationals MP Leslie Williams broke ranks, calling on the Deputy Premier to quit, saying his actions that “embarrassed” the party and “infuriated” the community.
“That’s not a view that I share, John (Barilaro) has by full support,” Ms Mitchell said.
“He’s an excellent leader of the Nationals.”
Ms Mitchell said any MPs who are unhappy with the leadership should raise those concerns “within the party room, not through the public or through the media”
Port Macquarie MP Ms Williams was the first Nationals MP to speak out publicly against Mr Barilaro, following his scrap with Andrew Constance over the upcoming Eden Monaro by-election.
Ms Williams said she was “both frustrated and deeply disappointed” in the party’s leader.
She said Mr Barilaro has “embarrassed” the party by his actions, which have “infuriated” the community.
It comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed Mr Barilaro referred to his coalition colleague Andrew Constance by another, unprintable, ‘c’ word — in a private remark.
“Now more than ever before, we need leaders who are committed to their communities and the State, and who demonstrate through their action professionalism, respect, honesty and integrity,” Ms Williams said.
“The actions of the Deputy Premier over the past fortnight have not reflected this. Our members feel let down, our party embarrassed and the community infuriated.”
Ms Williams said that because Mr Barilaro has indicated he will not run for re-election in 2023, he needs to quit now or say when he will stand aside.
“Two and a half years out from the next State election it is necessary for the NSW Nationals to have a definite timeline as to his intentions — in either vacating the leadership or providing a timeline as to when that will happen,” she said.
“We need to get on with our work for regional NSW without further distractions.”
Ms Williams, who was a minister between 2015 and 2017, holds the prestigious role of Deputy Speaker in the lower house. She is also on the Nationals State Executive.
One Nationals source described Ms Williams as a “lone soldier” in calling for Mr Barilaro’s resignation, saying she does not have the support from the party room.
The source said Ms Williams should “consider” her position as deputy speaker if she is unsuccessful in unseating Mr Barilaro.
Previously, former Deputy Prime Minister and respected Nationals elder John Anderson slammed politicians for bickering over the Eden Monaro by-election, telling The Daily Telegraph he was “profoundly disappointed” by the actions of Mr Barilaro and Mr Constance.
When contacted by Daily Telegraph, the Deputy Premier’s office could not provide a comment.
Originally published as Nationals MP Leslie Williams calls on John Barilaro to provide timeline on his resignation
Join the conversation
Witnesses unable to revive man swept from rocks
A man has been swept off rocks and drowned on the Coffs Coast today, despite the efforts of witnesses and first responders. Here’s what we know.
Read more
Snake stash: Deadly reptiles seized in raid on suburban home
More than 150 snakes and lizards found during a raid on a North Coast house met a grim end amid disease fears, but the “cowboy” owner kept his reptile licence for weeks.
Read more