New South Wales Nationals leader John Barilaro says his party is more united than ever as the Coalition repairs wounds made after Thursday’s showdown over koala protection policy.
A breakaway group of Nationals MPs, including Mr Barilaro, indicated their lack of support for their government’s update to the planning laws which include protections for koala habitats.
Ms Berejiklian issued an ultimatum on Thursday to Mr Barilaro and his colleagues after they threatened to move to the cross bench over the protection policy. Mr Barilaro ultimately backed down on Friday morning after a one-on-one meeting with Ms Berejiklian.
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Berejiklian to meet with Barilaro amid Coalition tension | Sky News AustraliaSky News can reveal New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian will meet with John Barilaro on Thursday afternoon, after he announced the Nationals will not support government legislation following a koala protection policy fight.\n\nTensions have been building over an update to the planning laws which include protections for koala habitats.\n\nThe Nationals are arguing the changes will limit building on farms and the ability to rezone areas for development.\n\n“This is the latest in a long series of private threats from Barilaro to Berejiklian and liberal ministers on several issues over the past couple of years,” Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell said.\n\n“Barilaro is known to regularly send threatening text messages, threatening to pull out of the Coalition if the government does not go his way on policy.\n\n“On this issue it appears Berejiklian has had enough.”\n
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Barilaro's leadership 'a matter for him' | Sky News AustraliaNew South Wales Liberal Minister Andrew Constance has refused to speculate on the future of Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s position, following tensions within the Coalition.\n\n“His leadership is a matter for him,” Mr Constance said.\n\n“I don’t want to talk about that.” \n\nA breakaway group of Nationals MPs, including NSW Nationals Leader John Barilaro, have indicated their lack of support for their government’s update to the planning laws which include protections for koala habitats. \n\nGladys Berejiklian issued an ultimatum to Mr Barilaro and his colleagues after they threatened to move to the cross bench over the protection policy.
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