Senior Liberal ministers have escalated the stand-off with the Nationals, vowing they will not give their Coalition partners any concessions in cabinet over the divisive koala planning policy as long as John Barilaro remains leader
Senior Liberal ministers have escalated the stand-off with the Nationals, vowing they will not give their Coalition partners a single concession in cabinet over the divisive koala planning policy as long as John Barilaro remains their leader.
After an ultimatum from Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Mr Barilaro on Friday ruled out taking his Nationals MPs to the crossbench over the policy, in a move that would have stripped the government of its majority. But Ms Berejiklian had already agreed to the cabinet discussion and said earlier in the week the "issue would be considered by cabinet in due course". It will remain on the agenda for a meeting on October 5.
Another Liberal minister said Mr Barilaro "would be sidelined in cabinet and ERC [expenditure review committee]", while another said the Nationals needed to identify their priorities. Mr Barilaro was contacted for comment. A spokesman from his office said they had received "1100 emails of support" after the Nationals had threatened to move en masse to the crossbench.
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