John Barilaro elected unopposed as leader of the National party
NEW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has admitted he is “complicit” in his predecessor Troy Grant’s downfall and revealed he has offered him a future role in Cabinet making his first appearance as Nationals leader in Parliament.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Troy Grant: ‘Trump effect’ played its part
- Barilaro the businessman and lasagne lover
- Piccoli follows Grant out the door
NEW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has admitted he is “complicit” in his predecessor Troy Grant’s downfall and revealed he has offered him a future role in Cabinet.
Mr Grant resigned as Nationals leader on Monday after the party’s dire performance in the Orange by-election, with voters venting their anger at the botched greyhound ban and council mergers.
Mr Barilaro — who voted in favour of the government’s greyhound ban — was voted the Nationals’ new leader at a partyroom meeting on Tuesday and sworn in as NSW’s 18th deputy premier not long after.
He made his first appearance as Nationals leader today in Parliament.
“I think all members of the government, ministers of the Cabinet, are complicit in the position we found ourselves in relation to the Orange by-election, there’s no question about that,” Mr Barilaro told reporters.
“I supported the greyhound ban, I supported the decision, the policies that some people are now saying in our communities that they’ve been affected by.
“So I am complicit. Troy showed that he is a man of integrity. He took, as the leader, the responsibility and he fell on his sword. And I think that’s the calibre of the man ... and that’s why he will continue to serve NSW.”
Premier Mike Baird will reshuffle his Cabinet in the new year and Mr Grant has been offered a ministerial position.
He currently holds the police, arts and racing portfolios.
“I have offered Troy a chance to serve in a future cabinet and a future National party,” Mr Barilaro added.
“That offer is on the table and that will be negotiated over and talked about in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
Mr Barilaro has paid tribute to his predecessor Troy Grant and signalled a return to the party’s “core values” following the whipping it received at the Orange by-election.
Mr Barilaro was voted in as Nationals leader on Tuesday morning during a partyroom meeting. Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair was voted in as his deputy.
North coast Nats MP Andrew Fraser also put his hand up for the deputy role but didn’t win enough support.
Mr Barilaro will be sworn in as deputy premier at a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon before heading straight to Parliamentary Question Time, where he could face a barrage of questions in his new high-profile role.
Mr Grant resigned on Monday morning ahead of a planned leadership spill. It follows massive swings against the Nationals at the Orange by-election, with voters deserting the party in their droves because of the botched greyhound ban and anger over council mergers.
Unlike two National MP colleagues, Mr Barilaro did not vote against the greyhound ban during Parliamentary debates on the legislation — though he raised concerns about its impact.
“I thank the NSW Nationals for this privilege of representing them and the people of NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
“I thank Troy for his tireless work for the party as leader, for his professional and caring approach to the role and his friendship along the way.
“I promise to bring the same passion, drive and work ethic to this role just as I have done so working for my electorate, the Monaro, and Cabinet portfolios.”
The Nationals, Mr Grant and Premier Mike Baird were battered over their involvement in the greyhound ban, which deeply affected parts of regional NSW.
The Premier announced a backflip on the policy last month and is set to repeal the legislation early next year.
Mr Barilaro said the Nationals must work hard to regain the trust of its traditional support base.
“I am proud of what the NSW Nationals have achieved so far, building the hospitals, roads and schools our communities need to keep them strong, but I know there is much more work to do to regain the trust and rebuild the reputation of the NSW Nationals as proud representatives of regional NSW in Australia’s oldest Parliament.”
Mr Baird added: “I am extremely honoured to have been elected as Deputy Leader of the only political party which truly represents the core values of regional NSW.”
“We need to reflect on the outcome of the by-election in Orange but we also need to get on with the job of delivering for our communities, for example by repealing Labor’s hated Native Vegetation Act this week.”
Mr Barilaro is NSW’s 18th Deputy Premier.
Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead announced the result of the leadership ballot following Tuesday morning’s partyroom meeting.
“This is a new time for the Nationals Party,” Mr Bromhead said.
“It’s an opportunity for the party to go forward — we’ve achieved many great things but at the same time we’ve received a message — a very clear message last weekend.”
‘Mentor to many’: Qantas pilot among light aircraft dead
An A380 pilot who was among three people who died in a horror mid-air collision south of Sydney on Saturday is being described as ‘full of fun, laughter and generosity’ by family and friends.
Wild moment before cop car lands on railway track
CCTV cameras have caught a police car speeding through a residential street moments before the patrol car left the road and crashed onto railway tracks in Western Sydney. Watch the video.