John Barilaro lashes out at Labor for ‘intrusion and harassment’

A police investigation into the former deputy premier has been launched after footage emerged of him allegedly scuffling with a TV cameraman | WATCH

Former deputy premier John Barilaro has lashed out at Labor for contributing to his “intrusion and harassment”, after NSW Police launched an investigation into footage of him allegedly scuffling with a television cameraman in Manly on Saturday night.

Mr Barilaro broke his silence to hit out at his treatment in the media, as he called on Labor and the NSW parliamentary inquiry into his appointment to the state’s plum, $500,000-a-year New York trade posting to “stop playing games” and allow him to “tell my side of the story”.

The NSW opposition has so far refused to call Mr Barilaro to appear at the inquiry, arguing that the Perrottet government must provide a second cache of documents before the former Nationals leader can provide evidence.

John Barilaro has allegedly taken issue with a videographer in Manly at the weekend. Picture: Instagram

The former NSW deputy premier was allegedly in an altercation on Saturday night. Picture: Instagram

In the video recorded about 7.30pm on Saturday, Mr Barilaro appeared to react angrily after the cameraman confronted him after he left the Garfish Manly on the Esplanade, attempting to grab the camera for several seconds before walking away.

Mr Barilaro said the camera and microphone had been “shoved in (his) face” after he left the Manly bar, as he called on NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns and Opposition Legislative Council Leader Penny Sharpe to call him to the inquiry, saying they were responsible for the “intrusion and harassment”.

“I’m a private citizen. I left politics last year … and yet the way I’m being treated while being harassed, intrusion into my life doesn’t just affect me, it affects more people – family, friends, everybody around me,” Mr Barilaro told Sydney radio 2GB.

The alleged altercation with a videographer in Manly. Picture: Instagram

The former deputy premier John Barilaro is desperate to clear his name. Picture NCA Newswire

“But now’s your chance. I’m calling out today. I’m available to turn up to an inquiry hearing this week to tell my side of the story. And let’s do that before this gets even uglier.”

Mr Barilaro said the Opposition’s failure to call him in front of the inquiry had left him “disgusted” and that they had an opportunity for a month but had failed to do so.

He asserted he had done nothing wrong by applying for the lucrative trade position, instead saying there had been a “couple of coincidences” as to when submissions went before cabinet and the timing of his resignation.

“But there’s an opportunity for Labor and The Greens and (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers leader) Mr Borsak in the upper house, who have continued to block my opportunity to appear,” he said.

“Instead, they pick and choose their witnesses and not give me any fair opportunity to defend my name because I can actually clarify a lot of the mysteries that are available already, put into the public domain.”

In a statement, NSW Police told The Australian: “Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command are investigating an incident that occurred about 7.30pm on Saturday 23 July 2022, outside a bar in Manly.

“Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and there is no further information at this stage.”