MPs fear Barilaro’s federal ambition

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro could soon quit state politics, confirming he would consider a tilt at a federal seat.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro during question time. Picture: AAP

NSW ministers fear Deputy Premier John Barilaro will soon quit state politics, threatening Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s two-seat majority, with the Nat­ionals leader confirming he would consider contesting the federal seat of Eden-Monaro if Labor MP Mike Kelly retired.

If Mr Barilaro decided to stand for Eden-Monaro, this would trigger a by-election in his state seat of Monaro. The next federal election is due to be held before the next NSW election.

It is understood upper house minister Bronnie Taylor would then run for Monaro.

The NSW government has recently lost most rural by-elections after suffering massive swings, including in Orange and Wagga Wagga. The Australian understands there is even talk in government about Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall succeeding Mr Barilaro as state ­Nationals leader should he go.

Confronted on the issue at state parliament on Monday by The Australian, Mr Barilaro said of a tilt for Eden-Monaro: “I’m not ruling it out. I won’t be ruling Eden-Monaro out. You never say never in politics. Everyone’s speculating that Mike Kelly’s going.” However, he said: “I have (just) started a term. I am going to get on with delivering.”

A spokesman for Mr Kelly described rumours he was about to quit as “rubbish”.

Mr Barilaro’s apparent eagerness to look for options other than his current job is sure to alarm the Berejiklian camp.

Mr Barilaro said in March he would not be Nationals leader at the March 2023 election.

“This will be it. No one can do long terms in politics anymore,” he said. “But there will be no by-election, I’d love to finish my time as a minister and go back to the backbench and finish the way I started.”

Ms Berejiklian has already found herself in political trouble by backing independent Alex Greenwich’s bill to decriminalise abortion ahead of other private member’s bills. Her support was seen by some as a bid to appease Mr Greenwich, who would be one of three independents with a crucial vote should the Premier lose her majority.

The Liberals-Nationals majority in the Legislative Assembly is just two and there are fears it could be cut further because Liberals Tanya Davies and Kevin Conolly have not ruled out going to the crossbench should the abortion bill pass the upper house without amendments later this month.

Ms Berejiklian is expecting to face an angry state Liberal council meeting on Saturday in the wake of the storm over the laws.

The majority of Liberal MPs have voted against the laws in both houses, but they have passed the lower house and the second reading stage in the Legislative Council by virtue of a majority of Labor and Nationals MPs voting for them.

During a trade trip to London last month, Ms Berejiklian scotched conjecture she too might retire this term, vowing to fight the 2023 election.