Nationals leader Troy Grant quits after Orange by-election disaster
UPDATE: Nationals deputy leader Adrian Piccoli has dramatically confirmed his resignation following Troy Grant’s decision to step down as Deputy Premier. ANALYSIS: ANDREW CLENNELL
NSW
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NATIONALS deputy leader Adrian Piccoli has confirmed his resignation following Troy Grant’s decision to step down as Deputy Premier.
Mr Grant dramatically resigned this afternoon ahead of an expected spill motion at the Nationals partyroom meeting tomorrow.
Mr Piccoli also confirmed he will step down as Mr Grant’s deputy but said he hoped to retain his role as education minister. Mr Piccoli has been deputy leader of the NSW Nationals since 2008.
Mr Grant announced his resignation this morning after the disastrous by-election result in Orange, a seat the Nationals had held since 1947.
Mr Piccoli told the Daily Telegraph: “I won’t be standing as deputy. I’ve had eight years. I hope to remain as the Minister for Education, but that’s a question for the new leader, whoever that might be,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
“Mr Grant has done a fantastic job in sometimes difficult circumstances. He’s an incredibly loyal and ethical operator, that’s why I’ve always backed him.”
The move means the top two spots within the Nationals are up for grabs, with Monaro MP John Barilaro favourite to take the leader’s role.
The party is in meltdown after suffering brutal swings, with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers expected to win the seat after a massive voter backlash against the Baird government’s botched greyhound ban and council amalgamations.
NSW Premier Mike Baird earlier paid tribute to Nationals leader Troy Grant after he announced his resignation today.
He stepped down following the calamitous by-election result in Orange and the spill for the leadership position due to be held tomorrow.
Mr Baird said: “Troy Grant has made an enormous contribution to regional NSW, and I am sure he will continue to do so.
GRANT FELL ON HIS SWORD AS PROMISED: ANDREW CLENNELL ANALYSIS
“During the 2015 election, Troy and I campaigned shoulder-to-shoulder in support of the Rebuilding NSW program. As a result, regional NSW will benefit through a once-in-a-generation investment in the State’s roads, schools, hospitals and water infrastructure.
“As Deputy Premier and Leader of the Nationals, Troy has been a courageous and passionate advocate for regional NSW. Troy is a man of great integrity and it has been an honour to lead this Government together.”
Mr Grant had said earlier: “As a result of The Nationals candidate for Orange Scott Barrett facing an uphill battle to hold the seat, I have informed the NSW Nationals leadership team that at tomorrow’s Party Room meeting I will be standing down as Leader of the NSW Nationals.”
Earlier, Mr Baird had given his deputy a ringing endorsement and accepted blame for the Coalition’s plunge in support.
Mr Baird described the Orange by-election result as “terrible”.
“It’s a terrible result — that’s the truth of it,” the Premier said at a press conference on Monday morning.
“Certainly the community there has sent a very loud message and it’s something that we need to consider over coming weeks.”
ORANGE BY-ELECTION A TERRIBLE RESULT: BAIRD
Mr Grant said it had been an “incredible privilege to serve in that role and lead a team whose sole focus is to serve the people of regional NSW”.
“At all times I have been guided by my principles of honesty, integrity and hard work but I accept the result in Orange is a clear message that we haven’t always got it right, nor have we always taken the community with us.
“Regional NSW is full of hardworking, decent people that want to see their Government supporting them and otherwise let them live their lives as they see fit.”
The Shooters, Farmers and Fishers are expected to win the Orange-by-election.
Voters lashed the Nationals over its involvement in the Baird government’s botched greyhound ban and unpopular council mergers.
Monaro MP John Barilaro is favourite to fill the now vacant leadership role and become Deputy Premier.
Mr Grant continued: “I hope that through my actions the NSW Government is given the opportunity to pause and reset the way it is seen to be governing and our record of delivery can once more be front and centre.
“I am proud of the results the NSW Liberals & Nationals have been able to achieve for regional NSW and the state since coming to power and it is vital that this continues.
“I thank those in the party, our branches and our communities for the trust and support they have shown me during my time as Leader.”
The Premier said it was a matter for National MPs to decide their next leader.
Mr Grant assumed the Nationals leadership position in October 2014 after his predecessor Andrew Stoner stood down for personal reasons.
Before entering politics he enjoyed a 22 year career in the NSW Police Force and won a number of honours for his service.
HELD IN HIGH REGARD
Mr Grant became MP for Dubbo at the 2011 election and later assumed the roles of Police Minister as well as taking on the arts and racing portfolios.
He was the 17th Deputy Premier of NSW and was held in high regard both within the Parliament and by regional voters during his initial period in the job. This was partly tied to the success and soaring popularity of the Baird government.
However, his position as Deputy Premier was put in serious jeopardy following the backlash against the Baird government’s greyhound ban — with a number of his own Nationals MPs speaking out against the ban and two voting against it in Parliament.
Mr Grant also copped flak for his involvement in the Baird government’s council amalgamations, which proved highly controversial in regional NSW and in pockets of suburban Sydney.
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