Deputy premier of NSW and state Nationals leader John Barilaro has delivered a strong broadside to Member for Orange Philip Donato on a trip to the Central West to talk to farmers about drought.
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A war of words has erupted between the pair in recent weeks over the state government’s drought assistance plan and Mr Donato’s posting of an unrelated photo without permission in a post attacking the Nationals’ policy.
Speaking at the Ronald McDonald House in Orange ahead of meeting farmers in Blayney to discuss drought, he said Mr Donato was “playing politics with drought”, referring to the photo of nearly dead cows in a dry creek-bed Mr Donato posted a few weeks ago.
“Phil Donato in my mind has lost every right to be representing the people who are landholders and the farmers,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Why? Because he’s playing politics with the drought. “
“At no point in Parliament has he asked me a question in the house, at no point did he write to me until he posted his little media stunt.”
He said his visit wasn’t connected to calls from Mr Donato to visit the region.
“Phil Donato will be Phil Donato, I’m here to engage and respond. To say we haven’t responded is a lie,” he said.
“We have had recourses on the table since 2012, with $208 million dollars going into infrastructure to drought-proof the very thing we’re now experiencing … there are resources on the table.”
Mr Barilaro was also visiting the Central West to talk about drought with farmers, visiting James Stonestreet’s farm near Blayney.
Mr Stonestreet said he was spending $550 a day feeding 1500 sheep and a herd of cattle, after they’d been on feed since March 2017.
Mr Barilaro said he knew how drought “bites community as a whole”, and said he was visiting the Central West to listen to farmers in the region and “promote what the government is already doing”.
There was no funding announcement accompanying Mr Barilaro’s trip, as he said he was visiting to listen.
“The best way to find the best answers is to listen,” he said.
“We have money, we have resources and we will be at the table.”