“My job here is done” would have sufficed for John Barilaro’s resignation speech this morning.
He couldn’t even wait until Gladys Berejiklian officially vacates the premier’s seat tomorrow before joining the unedifying exodus from the shitshow that is the current New South Wales government.
I am certainly not suggesting that the Nationals leader and deputy premier was in anyway relishing his boss’ demise. Or that he was in any way part of the white-anting, undermining, backstabbing, plotting, knifing or other untoward behaviour behind the scenes in the shitshow that is the current NSW government. (Or did I say that already?)
But I would bet that whatever weasel words he used to explain the timing of his decision, Barilaro is not leaving in a show of solidarity with Our Glad. I do not expect to see his name pop up on that growing change.org petition “Don’t let Gladys go”.
I’d also bet anything that there won’t be any similar clamour of support to save our “Pork Barrel-aro”.
The conspiracy theories are running hot in the bearpit of NSW politics: that Berejiklian did not simply stand aside until the ICAC report just so she could prevent the deputy premier taking the top spot for that time. At least it is now abundantly clear what a farce was the truce brokered after the infamous “koala-gate” stoush where Barilaro threatened to blow up the entire government.
After Berejiklian finally stood up to his bullying and he returned from mental health leave, he went out of his way to play nice with everyone. In public at least.
He was not the only one Berejiklian needed to worry about, of course — she had plenty of people undermining her, from Macquarie Street to the heart of Parliament House in Canberra.
And no one is to blame for her demise but herself and her actions. In fact she was damn lucky she held on this long, given her fate was sealed last October after her bombshell ICAC appearance and revelation of the secret affair with dodgy Daryl Maguire.
(Nor is Berejiklian’s improbably messy love life the only one rumoured to be causing political ructions in the current state government. Rumours of affairs have dogged at least one senior state pollie for years since one paper was close to breaking it during the Barnaby Joyce scandal.)
Probably the only reason the boyos let her hang on so long (apart from dealing with the mess of the lockdown) was that her heir apparent, Dominic Perrottet, needed a bit of distance to rid himself of the stench from his own damaging icare scandal.
It is indeed more than unfortunate that so many have forgotten Adele Ferguson’s excellent investigative reporting in Nine newspapers and the ABC on the extraordinary mismanagement of the agency which reportedly lost some $4 billion under the supposedly excellent treasurer’s care.
When Andrew Constance announced his resignation at the weekend from state Parliament to try for a federal seat (again), some saw it as a statement on working with the new premier.
He might have been the first to bail but might not be the last given the shitshow that is the current NSW government. Or did I already say that?
Another tick falling off the Berjiklian 3 wheeled cart. I’m sure ICAC won’t be dissuaded by this little act Barelaro; you have enough form to fill two cells with Obeid
What chance a change in government if several by-elections go against the LNP?
I don’t think the ALP will be fussed one way or another.
ICAC hasn’t finished with this lot, after, by cutting their funding all that means is that ICAC is still working through the 2017 questions currently.
Does anyone really think that they are going to skip the $240,000,000 grants scheme which put $80,000,000 into the Hornsby Council’s bank account and then asked them to sign their proposal? The mayor Phil, ex-Howard party minister for nasty stuff, was so sorry to see our Gladys go.
… It’s funny watching conservative (ex-Murdoch recruited?) commentators turning on the Coalition – after investing so much propaganda, ego, opinion, personal politics, cock-eyed optimism, propaganda and so much personal reputation in trying to sell them to the electorate.
The only thing missing is the usual “Yeah this is embarrassing for the Coalition : but what about Labor’s record doing the same thing and wworse”?
Indeed
…. Madonna King’s turn tomorrow?
Will be interesting to see and the tone if so
Is she still hoping to get the “Cash and Carry Mail” gig back from Murdoch?
Who are these commentators or so called journalists turning?
What is it with “Macquarie St” – Latham in the belfry, where Fred Niles used to haunt – and what goes on ‘down stairs’?
Is the joint haunted? Both sides are possessed.
As for Barrelardo – is ICAC getting the sausage grinder ready for him too? ….. Or is that a bush-fire relief they can smell?
Must be I reckon! Why else would he go! Unless The Dom has something on him…?
YEP he hates his guts.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Shady Calabrians, Matthew Guy and the Libs best mates.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/a-barilaro-affair-how-the-barilaros-ended-up-with-the-clubhouse-when-the-club-went-under/
Perottet a perfect choice then
Consider, Berjiklian does a runner a few months before she became eligible for a generous retirement package of state-funded entitlements including a car, a driver, an office and staff, the Queen of Delta explained it away saying her decision was in the interests of the people of NSW.
Her likely successor, Perrottet has the interests of the people of NSW?
I don’t think so given he believes in the sanctity of confession and refuses to countenance or support any legislation that would demand priests report confessions of child sexual abuse. And he is a Right to Lifer or whatever they call themselves these days
Jennifer Wilson writes in IA regarding Perrottet and his ‘interests’.
Opus Dei pursues the Vatican’s agenda through the presence of its members in secular governments and institutions and through a vast array of academic, medical and grassroots pursuits. Its constant effort [is] to increase its presence in civil institutions of power. [T]heir work in the public sphere breaches the church-state division that is fundamental to modern democracy.
Opus Dei is mostly middle and upper-class businessmen, professionals, military personnel and government officials. Its members control a large number of banks and financial institutions.
Should Perrottet become the next NSW Premier, Australia will have a Pentecostal Prime Minister and a member of Opus Dei as leader of our most populous state.
This is not cheerful news for women and members of the LGBTQI community.
It suggests that the Liberal Party has been deeply infiltrated by religious extremists who are achieving powerful leadership roles, in keeping with the goals of both cults.
While the conservative Catholic cult differs from the Pentecostals, the ways in which they are alike are centred on patriarchal control of women, our bodies and our struggle for autonomy and equity.
Both cults are opposed to same sex relationships and neither fosters an environment that is safe for LGBTQI people.
Not too many women in the Catholic Church wear red. In fact none..
Perhaps because Mary of Magdalene was always depicted in scarlet & vermilion robes?
Was she? I’m referring to the cardinal robes.
I knew that, as I’m sure the ersatz did too
This is a good description of Opus Dei and who they pursue for membership. They will not be found amongst the poor but like the foundation in Spain, amongst the upper echelons of Society that supported their brutal dictator. Money and power, and the oppression of women and anyone else that does not fall within their fundamentalist mindset. They may have a fringe connection with Catholicism but certainly not with Christianity. Both Pentecostalism and Opus Dei have fundamental similarities in mindset and functioning, one just sings in Latin whilst the other sings with jingles
the other sings with jingles
Tomorrow Pastor Brian Houston of Hillsong Pentecostal tax exempt business empire is supposed to appear in court, maybe a jingle could be written about that sordid saga of his and his daddy’s.
Perhaps the Robertson Brothers can do one of their renditions for Rat Hately on 2GB?
Both leaders believe in something which all rational, sceptical people know doesn’t’ exist. I was indoctrinated as a catholic but realised by age 11 it was all made up by humans as a means of controlling the crowd. Are they really devout or just surfing in on a wave of group delusion?
He has the interests of the people of NSW but only those who have his similar values and beliefs, similar to the PRIME MINISTER of NSW.
He is yet to say “I look after my mates!”
“..and what goes on ‘down stairs’?”
It would appear that pissing all over the Electorate would be what’s going on. And especially regional NSW.
I can only presume Barra is heading off to a ludicrously well-paid position as CEO of The Regional Property Developers Association.
CEO of a sporting organisation was what I read earlier on another news site. He was said to have been touting for such a position for some time.
Would they by any chance have received any of the Barilaros of cash
The Australian Clay Target Association perchance?
What an ACTA acquisition he’ll be – who knowingly goes shooting with a bent Baril…? Could blow up in your face, again.
Yeah / Nah he is getting ready for a bit of time in the bin for allegedly corrupt business practice. This is what his current defamation action is about. Trouble is discovery is going to reveal all the alleged corruption to the public and then ICAC will move in. Would not surprise me that the action get quietly dropped similar to Porter’s action. It the same allegedly corrupt lawyers acting and they do not come cheap.
The defamation lawyers don’t come cheap and they have to be very good at what they do.
They have a rule which means that they are like first class call girls/ rent boys, they must take the first customer off the rank.
I could not tell the difference when I saw Rebeccahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh on the news. Sue is just an old haggggggggggggg.
Nup they choose who they want to shake down. The media only focus on the alleged wins their strike rate is 50/50.
Yeah / Nah he is getting ready for a bit of time in the bin for allegedly corrupt business practice. This is what his current defamation action is about. Trouble is discovery is going to reveal all the alleged corruption to the public and then ICAC will move in. Would not surprise me that the action get quietly dropped similar to Porter’s action. It the same allegedly corrupt lawyers acting and they do not come cheap.
Let us see if the Friendly Jordies lets his defence or the allegations get buried?
The lawyers withdraw the case then tie it up similar to Porter so that little gets made public.
As Logorrhea speculated here (https://uat.crikey.com.au/2021/10/04/gladys-v-icac-fuel-to-fire-kill-independent-investigator/#comment-539028), he’ll be rid of those pesky declarations once his defamation case against Jordan Shanks reaches court.
YEAH the BIN it is referred to.