Barilaro to drop deputy premier title to allow him to speak out for bush

Nats leader vows to build dams to drought proof state: “If a few frogs must go, so be it’’.

NSW Nationals Leader John Barilaro wants to drop his deputy premier tag to allow him to speak out for bush.

John Barilaro has announced he wants to relinquish the title of deputy premier and be known as leader of the Nationals as he flags a more assertive role for the coalition junior partner over the next four years.

Mr Barilaro suggested the title change would allow him to speak more freely and vowed that the Nationals would “fight like we have never fought before’’.

“We will not apologise because we will build dams to future proof regional NSW and if a few frogs must go, so be it,’’ Mr Barilaro said.

In a speech to the NSW Nationals conference in Inverell this morning where he threw down the gauntlet to Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s Liberal Party — including demanding more than the current 30 per cent of money coming from asset sales go to the regions — Mr Barilaro declared: “In itself deputy premier is a title that (sounds) subservient to the leader of another party.’’

“Today I am flagging that I will be seeking the support of my party colleagues, and the executive of the NSW Nats to consider a decision that would not be taken lightly, but if it means I can speak more freely and achieve more from the bush, I am prepared to relinquish the title of Deputy Premier,” Mr Barilaro said.

Mr Barilaro said if the change meant relinquishing a deputy premier’s salary and going to a ministerial salary, so be it. The deputy premier’s salary is $16,500 more than that of a senior minister.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her deputy John Barilaro. Picture: Hollie Adams

He said the decision had partly been inspired by the Nationals losing three seats at the March state election - Barwon, Murray and Lismore.

“It’s (the Deputy Premier) a title we fought for as a party ... I want the party and executive to consider it.

“Elections are about learning. Our brand was diluted and we were (seen as) part of the Coalition.”

Mr Barilaro said the party executive would make the final decision on whether he would keep the deputy premier title.

Mr Barilaro said he wanted to be more “forthright” when dealing with the Liberal Party.

“Recently I looked up the definition for the term Coalition which states, and I quote ‘a temporary alliance for combined action especially of political parties forming a government.

“Now our temporary alliance with the Liberals has endured ... however the arrangement is a two-way street.

“I believe the time has come to be more forthright in publicly stating our views.

“We must be respected. We must not be taken for granted and our coalition partners will need to work harder for our support.”

Mr Barilaro said the National Party would introduce a Bill to allow logging of the river red gums in Deniliquin which the Liberals oppose.

“If the fight is worth having then we will have it whether it’s in the cabinet room or in the public domain we will assert our position and I make no apology for that.

“Today I say don’t take our vote for granted and you have no right to trade away regional NSW.’’

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