John Barilaro gets backing from federal colleagues

Barnaby Joyce is among Nationals MPs who say they would back John Barilaro running for a seat in federal parliament at the next election.

Outgoing NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro says he’s already considering a new career. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Barnaby Joyce is among Nationals MPs who say they would back John Barilaro running for a seat in federal parliament at the next election.

As he announced his resignation on Monday, the outgoing NSW Deputy Premier said he had “no intention” of running as the Nationals candidate for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro.

But the Deputy Prime Minister, former leader Michael McCormack, Regional Health Minister David Gillespie and Queensland senator Matt Canavan were among those vowing to throw their support behind the NSW Nationals leader if he reconsidered.

Mr Joyce said he would “happily” welcome Mr Barilaro into the federal partyroom but, having spoken to Mr Barilaro, he was ­adamant he had no intention of re-entering the fray.

In a separate statement, Mr Joyce said the key to Mr Barilaro’s success was that he was “not a cookie cutter politician”.

“During his political tenure, John was never afraid to put the ­issues of regional people first and accept the political consequences of doing so,” Mr Joyce said.

“As a former carpenter, John took essential life knowledge into a political career that gave him the capacity to understand people away from the stultifying atmospherics of parliament.”

Mr Barilaro blamed a lack of support from Mr McCormack – who he accused of being a “failed leader” – when he pulled out of running at the Eden-Monaro by-election last year.

On Monday, Mr McCormack said he didn’t hold any grudges over the accusations in leaked text messages, revealing Mr Barilaro had texted him afterwards to concede he shouldn’t have said what he did.

“If he decided later on that he wanted to have a crack at federal politics, I think he would give it his all and I’m sure he wouldn’t leave any stone unturned,” Mr McCormack said.

Senator Canavan said federal politics needed more “fearless fighters” like Mr Barilaro.

“Barra is a fighter. He’s a ­fearless fighter for the bush, and we need more people like that,” he said.

“In federal politics, I back him 100 per cent, if that’s what he wants to do.

“However, I also believe he has the right to decide when he leaves the stage. It’s obviously really tough to serve in the spotlight, as he has, at any time.”

Dr Gillespie said Mr Barilaro had an “amazing career” in state politics.

“If he were to change his mind (on running for federal parliament) he would get a lot of support from me,” Dr Gillespie said.

Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud, who has leadership aspirations, said Mr Barilaro had made it clear he was no longer interested in running for federal parliament.

“I think John’s been pretty clear – he’s just had a gutful. He’s given a lot to public. He’s given a lot to regional Australia. He’s been a warrior for ­regional NSW,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News.

“I don’t think there’s been anyone bigger or better than John Barilaro, and I think he’s just had enough and it’s time for him to do something else.

“He’s made it clear he is not interested in federal politics.

“I think he wants to have his life returned to him and his family, and I suspect that he’ll be successful in whatever he turns his hand to.”

Earlier on Monday, Mr Barilaro underlined the “vile and racist attacks” he had been subjected to on social media as being a “big ­reason” for his decision to walk away from politics.

Currently going through a “bit of a midlife crisis”, Mr Barilaro said he was already considering a new career.

Both Mr Barilaro and NSW Liberal minister Andrew Constance announced their intention to run during the Eden-Monaro by-election last year, pulling out late in the contest.

Labor’s Kristy McBain defeated Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs with the help of preferences from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers.