Leadership upheaval – Deputy John Barilaro follows Gladys Berejiklian out of NSW parliament

By Margaret Dekker

NSW Deputy Premier and leader of the NSW National Party John Barilaro has joined former Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Transport Minister Andrew Constance in resigning from parliament in an extraordinary week in state politics.
“I have decided now is the right time for me to hand the reins over to new leadership and resign as Deputy Premier of NSW,” the former Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade said in a statement on Monday, October 4.
He said it was time for NSW to embrace a new era.

Water Minister Melinda Pavey is tipped to be new NSW Nationals leader

“As we emerge from lockdown, we must embrace this time as a new beginning for our state and welcome the opportunity it presents for a refresh,” John Barilaro’s statement continued.
His shock resignation came just a day after NSW Transport Minister, veteran Bega MP Andrew Constance announced his resignation on Sunday October 3, citing a possible tilt at Federal Politics in 2022.
Three resignations in as many days will see by-elections now held in the seats of Monaro (Barilaro replacement) Bega (Constance replacement) and Willoughby (Berejiklian replacement.)
Mr Barilaro was elected leader of the NSW Nationals and Deputy Premier of NSW in 2016.
“Ten and a half years is a long time in politics. Five years is a very long time as Deputy Premier, I’ve taken it seriously and given everything I possibly could have,” John Barilaro said on Monday.
“It is tough on anybody in public life to continue in this role, especially under so much scrutiny, especially media scrutiny.”
Mr Barilaro hoped regional NSW recognised his “genuine and tireless effort to be there for them.”
A Nationals party room meeting was set for this Wednesday for John Barilaro to formally resign as leader and call a ballot for his replacement.
Nationals MP Melinda Pavey, the Member for Oxley and current NSW Minister for Water, is widely tipped to replace John Barilaro as the next NSW Nationals leader.
“I’ve almost had 20 years in Parliament. I just want to continue serving our community,” Ms Pavey said earlier this week.
Andrew Constance MP said he wasn’t surprised by the sudden changing of the guard in New South Wales.
“The situation with Gladys was always going to trigger an enormous change or shift in the paradigm, and that’s what’s happened,” Andrew Constance said.