Barilaro elected new Nationals leader unoppossed
MONARO MP John Barilaro has been elected as the new NSW Nationals leader unopposed at a party room meeting on Tuesday morning.
It follows the resignation of former leader Troy Grant and deputy leader Adrian Piccoli after the poor by-election result for the Nationals at Orange, believed to have been caused by the government's controversial greyhound racing ban and council amalgamations.
The Nationals have held the seat since 1947 and by a margin of more than 21 per cent at the last state election, but, with some electorate's experiencing swings of up to 60 per cent, the party is expected to lose the seat to Phil Donato from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
Australian Racing Greyhound spoke to Donato on Monday and, while the result was still too close to call, the police prosecutor said the swing against the Nationals had sent a big message to the coalition government.
“Our party has been on the record from the very beginning sticking up for the greyhound industry and really working towards putting pressure on the government to overturn the ban,” Donato said.
“That was the reason why we initially decided to run for the seat of Orange and we wanted to send a strong message to the government.
“The result has sent massive shockwaves through the government already.
“You only have to see what has happened [on Monday] in relation to Troy Grant resigning – it has clearly sent a message to the government that the people of NSW and in particular from regional communities won't be trodden on, spoken down to and treated this way.”
On Monday, Troy Grant spoke publicly for the first time in regards to his decision to step down as leader, labelling himself a team player.
“It's certainly not what I wanted to do, but the circumstances are what they are,” Grant said.
“The community have a perception that we're not listening to them. That's not true, but that's their perception and that's the most important thing – what they believe and what they feel.
“We haven't done a good enough job in communicating our message to them and telling them why we're doing stuff and bringing them along with our decisions.
Barilaro, who takes over from Grant, will be joined by new Deputy Nationals Leader Niall Blair, who is also the minister for Primary Industries.
Barilaro has held the seat of Monaro since 2011 and claimed the seat with a narrow two per cent margin at the latest state election. He is already the Minister for Skills and the Minister for Small Business.
It is unclear at this stage what impact Barilaro's leadership will have on the sport of greyhound racing, with the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill not set to be officially repealed until next year.
Barilaro had previously spoken out in support of the ban, notably on August 23 when the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly.
“I supported the decision to end greyhound racing next year, but it was one of the toughest decisions I have made,” Barilaro said in Parliament at the time.
“It was a torturous decision that challenged one's role in government and the legacy we leave for our communities.
“The decision is based on the need to stop animal cruelty and to assist society to change its attitude to animal welfare.
“This industry has had years to self-regulate. Live baiting has been banned for 60 years, yet there are examples of live baiting today.
“The community has been asked to trust that the industry can change. Reputable greyhound owners, breeders and trainers in the industry should be angry.
“They should be angry with those who have governed this industry and allowed it to deteriorate to this point.
“I spoke to a breeder in my community in Braidwood. I asked whether he believed the McHugh report had been exaggerated. He said he was angry with the Government's decision but that the McHugh report is not exaggerated—if anything, it is probably the tip of the iceberg.
“Many within the industry have been aware of cruel live-baiting practices in the industry, but have sat idle and not voiced their concerns. Today the industry has to pay the ultimate price for that silence.”
Its laughable Barilaro or is it Balaclava , stated today WE MUST LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE , yeah! when this is the same bloke who supported the Ban on the Greyhounds ,they got a Flogging and Baird bunged on a Party for Liberals at Mr Wongs hate to see if they won the seat and the new Deputy holds his seat by 2% The SF&F party might put a dent in his future come 2019 !
Barilaro is the same as any politician, voted in, voted out if not up to standard. He would realize he and his party are on notice.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/blogs/tim-blair/todays-daily-telegraph-editorial/news-story/ad18838060a36dd2643d32e5a9a3ff50
And BOB, this is what happens when pollies do not listen to all constituents.
a world wide epidemic….ignorance.
but the people revolted and now we see the results of ignorance.
We have been very lucky to have won this round. If Nationals MP Andrew Glee had not resigned to move on to federal politics and left the Orange seat vacant we would still be looking at closure in July 2017.
We need something to bargain with for the next round. It’s coming.
For starters we need Donato and the SF&F party to win the seat ,so they will continue to make sure that the reversal of the Greyhound ban is completed .
think the real emphasis of energy,shoud now be concentrating on MIKE BAIRD. With JONES and HADLEY useful weapons,and some other media outlets,an all out attack and defaming of BAIRD on a constant level is warranted. drive the point,or his bad points home continually,highlighting,like he did with his dog cruelty advertising,his errors and his standover tactics right across the board. not only the dog issue or the council amalgamations,but all other sinister sell offs the jerk has created including his handling of ICAC. this is a grub and a corrupt politician. the worst the state has ever witnessed,but if the people… Read more »
Barilaro’s appointment as leader has a bad smell about it. The leader of any party comes from a safe seat but this bloke only has a 2% margin. Another sacrificial lamb me thinks. Reeks of Baird manoeuvring.
Time for Barnaby to step in.
Lets be fair the Nats are desperate for Leadership, and missing Mike would not give a sh*t who’s there Leader as long as they do what he wants. ITS TIME the Nats went it alone and get back to caring for Regional NSW but i feel after Orange that still won’t happen !
BobWhitelaw The Nats won’t be able to go it alone for the rest of this term while they’re under the coalition contract.
Maybe the contract will be set aside after the next election 2019 (fat chance). It’s time the coalition self destructed, they’re doing ok so far.
God help us, this Barilaro has no idea at all he stated here that the Industry has had years to self regulate and we should be angry with those who governed our industry . Well Barilaro it was the Government that appointed those to govern our sport not the participants. ,Mr Barilaro there was a campaign in the mid nineties, a campaign for the industry to self govern even bumper stickers where made supporting our case saying (SAVE OUR INDUSTRY GIVE US THE RIGHT TO VOTE ) yes Mr Balrilaro the government ignored our plea ,instead they appointed their own… Read more »
lone widow BobWhitelaw After the Orange By-election the SF&F party i would dare to say could be a force in the Bush in 2019?
BobWhitelaw lone widow I agree Bob especially if Katrina Hodgkinson and Chris Gulaptis jumped ship to the SF&F party, if Phil Donato is smart he should start a scavenger hunt right now. There’s so much dissent at the moment nothings impossible. The world’s our oyster it’s up to us.
lone widow I quited that exact thought. a sideways shuffle.this is still not good for dog industry.
attack head long into BAIRD. your only chance guys. BOB, he will get that seat.
Is this the man who supported the greyhound ban and supported council amalgamations and even suggested the three national party members who did support their constituents should be punished? Another Grant only shorter and darker. These Nationals are slow learners.
Deborah555 welcome back Deb.
was wondering you may have taken off with Baird….he has been missing as well. co-incidence hey?(lol)
On Alan Jones’s radio this morning, there are moves afoot to close the Thirlmere trial track by GRNSW.
As A Jones says they’re attempting to close the industry via the back door.
tell you one thing.as a Mexican and having no insight into past histrionics within the state and how dog racing went,but crikey,how many groups have been involved in trying to ‘run’ the industry?seriously people,its a mess up there. LONE WIDOW….you typed exactly what I was about to chat about. the appearance of an attack on trial tracks I have no doubt that there are moves afoot to shut down all trial tracks,as the Government and their attachments,the RSPCA,are in agreeance that it is there that major percentage of live baiting existed. a breeding ground one could say. so now we… Read more »
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Post by mossvegas on 38 minutes agoFurther good news, reshuffle of Ministries delayed till new year as Baird WILL resign mid Dec
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those who know who Mossvegas is,willbe very delighted with that remark. he is ususally spot on with his inside info. a man who moves with the right people.
this maybe big news.who swung the sword towards Bairds head as I suggested?????
spyman I am not surprised at all by Bairds tactic of attempting to close trial tracks, it’s the same as opening a flour mill but closing all the bakeries. A back door approach to closing the industry.
I know it’s been said before, it’s up to the police to oversee the live baiting issue.
I agree cut off the snakes head and the body dies. There are a few lefties need lopping as well.
lone widow spyman I recall hearing Baird say he wants zero to do with controlling/running the industry. if that is true,then step back and allow those paid to do that,do their jobs.i would find more satisfaction in repairing the industry than shutting it down,but this fella doesn’t know what he wants. the statement above concerning a forum writers comments at BAIRD going by mid-December,would be the greatest news for all concerned,not just the greys industry. and those pigs in the background,his so called advisers,need deportation back to Ernie who is waiting for his lying buddies to return to Canada.(tongue in cheek)… Read more »
“I spoke to a breeder in my community in Braidwood. I asked whether he believed the McHugh report had been exaggerated. He said he was angry with the Government’s decision but that the McHugh report is not exaggerated—if anything, it is probably the tip of the iceberg. Well of course it is, and the fact that the industry so vehemently and aggressively attacked those who wanted to bring the information to light and make greyhound racing take responsibility for its actions shows how little the industry actually cares about the inherent cruelty at its heart and how viciously they will… Read more »
lone widow spyman We have a trial track where I live and the man that runs it NEVER has or will have anything to do with live baiting. I send my dogs there to be broken in because he does a brilliant job for a reasonable price a far better job than I could do and it costs considerable less than if I had to do it. He treats the dogs extremely well and anyone who works for him knows you so much as lay a hand on a dog you will be sacked on the spot. He is also a highly… Read more »
We should all sign this petition just in case he doesn’t resign.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/193/154/049/we-call-for-the-resignation-of-out-of-touch-premier-mike-baird/