NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro resigns, quits parliament

John Barilaro has revealed a toll on his personal life, and not the shock resignation of Gladys Berejiklian is behind his decision to quit politics.

John Barilaro will quit politics earlier than planned admitting he doesn’t have the “energy anymore” to remain deputy premier.

Mr Barilaro said the toll of politics on his personal life was behind the decision to quit as deputy premier and Monaro MP, sparking a third by-election for a government already in minority.

He singled out a defamation case he commenced against YouTuber Jordan Shanks (FriendlyJordies) as being particularly influential on his announcement.

“That in itself can I say was very difficult this year, and to be able to defend myself and continue with that case, I prefer to do it privately not in the public eye,” he said,

Mr Barilaro as recently as last week was adamant that he had no plans to leave politics.

“Unfortunately I have not been able to be honest with you, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while,” he said.

John Barilaro on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Barilaro said Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation on Friday had “played no part” in the announcement.

“It’s a tough time but I think it’s the right thing to do, to be honest with the public that the fight’s over. I’ve lost the fight, and it is time for me to go,” he said.

Mr Barilaro said his family gave him the “privilege” of being able to go into politics.

“Without them I wouldn’t have been able to achieve it, they’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice. “They’ve worn the brunt of it, but to them I say thank you for giving me the opportunity,” he said.

It would be unfair to stay on and be sworn in as deputy premier under Dominic Perrottet only to pull the pin weeks later, Mr Barilaro said.

Dominic Perrottet said he was “deeply saddened” by Mr Barilaro’s decision. Picture: Richard Dobson

He said NSW citizens are “best served” by “someone that’s still got the passion and the fight to keep going, and the energy”.

“I just don’t have the energy anymore,” he said.

Mr Barilaro ruled out a tilt at federal politics.

“I have no intention and no, I will not be running for Eden-Monaro or for federal politics. I’m looking to a new career. I turn 50 in November, maybe a bit of a midlife crisis, but definitely thinking about what happens next”.

Presumptive Liberal leader Dominic Perrottet said he was “deeply saddened at the loss of a close friend and formidable colleague”.

“However I know it is a decision John has been considering for some time, and I understand and support him in his decision,” Mr Perrottet said.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell (left) and deputy Nationals leader Paul Toole (right) are considering nominating. Picture: Liam Driver

Melinda Pavey has put her name in the ring. Picture: Joel Carrett

“This is an important opportunity to inject new energy and leadership across the Government,” he said.

Meanwhile Melinda Pavey has begun her pitch to Nationals colleagues to take over as leader from Mr Barilaro.

“I’m the most experienced National Party MP in Australia,” she told Sky News.

“I’ve got such passion, energy, and experience now,” she said.

“And it just so happens I am a woman as well.”

She is likely to face off against current deputy leader Paul Toole.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell is considering nominating for the deputy leader role.

“If there is more than one candidate that wants to put their hand up for the leadership that’s actually a good thing for party democracy, it doesn’t mean instability in relation to a transition,” he said.

A National Party ballot will take place on Wednesday, a day after a Liberal Party vote to replace Ms Berejiklian.

READ JOHN BARILARO’S FULL STATEMENT:

As we emerge from lockdown, we must embrace this time as a new beginning for our State, and welcome the opportunity it presents for a refresh.

I have decided now is the right time for me to hand the reins over to new leadership, and resign as Deputy Premier of NSW.

Serving as Deputy Premier of NSW, as Leader of the NSW Nationals and as the Member for Monaro has been the honour and privilege of a lifetime.

As the Member for Monaro some of my proudest moments include delivering five new schools; Jerrabomberra, Googong, Bungendore, Jindabyne and the School for Special Purpose co-located at Karabar.

The iconic Snowy Mountains Brumby was saved when I legislated the Kosciuszko Wild Horses Heritage Bill 2018 and we will continue to find a balance between protecting the Brumbies and protecting the most sensitive wilderness areas of the Park through the Kosciuszko Plan of Management.

Not to mention the exciting Special Activation Precinct for Jindabyne and the Mountains, which means we will see the Snowies gain even more popularity as a year-round tourism destination.

However it is the little things, and the beautiful people I’ve met, of whom I now call friends, that have made being the Local Member so special. Nothing is closer to my heart than the big hug and smile I received from Rosie Schenker when I delivered a renal unit at Cooma Hospital, so she no longer had to make long trips to Canberra.

To the people of Monaro, thank you for this honour.

In my time as Deputy Premier I experienced first-hand, alongside the communities of NSW, the effects of prolonged drought, the worst bushfires in living memory, severe storm and flood disasters and a 1-in-100 year global pandemic, and it was a privilege to work with our communities to endure and recover from those challenges.

I hope those communities could see my genuine and tireless effort to be there for them, especially as the Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery, a role I will never forget. I shared hugs, shed tears and brought hope for many.

My number one focus has always been to make regional NSW the best place to live, work, play and raise a family and to achieve that I proudly delivered the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund and the transformational Special Activation Precincts. These are record investments, which bring a sense of pride back into our towns.

To make sure regional communities are always at the heart of decision making in government, the Department of Regional NSW was born, and so too was the NSW Government’s Regionalisation Strategy which has herald a new era for the NSW Public Service in the bush.

The Future of Coal Statement and the Future of Gas Statement have given regional communities certainty around land use and job security, which NSW has craved for a generation, finding a balance between agriculture, the environment and the resource industry.

We thought 2020 was challenging, and then 2021 kept those challenges coming, but throughout these times, the resilience shown by the people of NSW has been truly inspiring.

I was entrusted by the Premier, as an original member of the Covid Crisis Committee, to be the architect of the road map out of lock down in both 2020 and 2021, and it was a responsibility that I did not take lightly, but I considered essential, to deliver hope and certainty not just for NSW, but for the Nation.

I have worked with three of the Liberal Party’s hardest working Premier’s in Barry O’Farrell, Mike Baird and particularly Gladys Berejiklian who steered this State through some of its darkest days.

The next Premier has big shoes to fill, but I wish them well and the best of luck, I will be cheering from the sidelines and I am excited for what is ahead under their stewardship.

My deepest and genuine gratitude goes to my NSW Nationals, our grassroots members, and particularly my Nationals colleagues who I have served alongside, for entrusting me to lead the Party and ensure our communities were heard.

People are sometimes quick to write off the National Party, but it’s the Nats in Government who are, and always will be, the praetorian guard of common sense.

National’s Leaders have led that guard, and I am proud to be in their company. Now I am passing on that honour.

Finally, thank you to my family for allowing me to have such an incredible opportunity and for their sacrifice.

I will be calling a Party Room meeting for this Wednesday 6 October where I will formally resign as Leader and call for a ballot for a new Leader.

Following that, I will work with the Speaker and the Electoral Commission in relation to a by-election for the seat of Monaro.

Thank you and farewell.