Deputy Premier John Barilaro steps down

TWO days after Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced she was resigning from Parliament due to an ICAC investigation, the Deputy Premier John Barilaro has announced he feels it is time to resign as leader of the National Party.

While Ms Berejilian said the timing of her resignation was terrible for the people of New South Wales in the middle of a pandemic, Mr Barilaro hose a Monday during a long weekend to announce he is stepping down because he believed the timing is right as the state emerges from lockdown.

“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,” said Mr Barilaro.

“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,” he said.

“I will be calling a Party Room meeting for this Wednesday, 6 October where I will formally
resign as Leader and call for a ballot for a new Leader,” he said.

“Following that, I will work with the Speaker and the Electoral Commission in relation to a byelection for the seat of Monaro,” John Bariliaro said.

ICAC has not indicated they are investigation Mr Barilaro.

Yesterday, Liberal Member of Parliament, Andrew Constance also announced he is stepping down and plans to run for Federal Parliament. The government will now need to hold three by-elections.