'WATCH this space' is member for Orange Phil Donato's advice following Deputy Premier John Barilaro's resignation as leader of the NSW National Party.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Barilaro resigned at 9.30am on Monday, following on from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's resignation on Friday pending an ICAC investigation.
NSW Minister for Transport Andrew Constance will also step down as the member for Bega by the end of this year and Mr Donato, a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, believes there could be more to come.
"Firstly I'd like to wish (Mr Barilaro) all the best for the future, I know he's had a difficult last couple of years," Mr Donato said.
"I've always had a reasonably good relationship with him but I think last year took took its toll with the drought, the mice plague, koalas ...
"It's not ideal for NSW, we've had three [resign] and there are rumours there could be a few more going.
"You often do get a domino effect - watch this space."
Mr Barilaro's political fortunes are linked to Mr Donato's - the pair came to prominence in 2016 when Mr Donato won the seat of Orange in a by-election with a heavy swing against the NSW Nationals.
That led to incumbent Nationals leader Troy Grant, from Dubbo, resigning and Mr Barilaro, the member for Eden-Monaro, stepping into the role.
Mr Donato said the three frontbench resignations within four days was "not ideal" with the state trying to navigate its way through the COVID-19 roadmap out of lockdowns and rising hospitalisations.
"That means three by-elections and we're getting into the stage, with the modelling suggesting October was going to be the worst month [for COVID hospitalisations], the roadmap suggests there will be a surge," he said.
"But that's the hand we've been dealt so we need to get on with it."
Orange mayor Reg Kidd also wished Mr Barilaro well, saying he had supported a number of major developments including the $25m south Orange sports precinct and the extensions to the Orange Regional library.
"Not only was he good for regional NSW, with funding never experienced before for infrastructure, but he was supportive of funding for Orange. He visited here regularly," Cr Kidd sdaid.
"He's not a career politician, never was, he was from a working class background and never had the intention of staying all his life and getting a parliamentary pension."
"He got to know his constituents, he did listen and you could have a discussion with him and an argument with him."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.centralwesterndaily.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
Catch up on our news headlines at Google News
Have your say
Send a letter to the editor using the form below