Michael McCormack’s Future Depends On The Outcome Of The NSW State Election
With all of the leadership speculations currently underway in Canberra, it is safe to say that Michael McCormack’s days as leader of the National Party are numbered. Although nobody has challenged him for the role as of yet, the timing of such a situation could well occur after the NSW State Election which looks to be a disastrous result for the Nationals.
Many people have said that he has not done enough to look out for regional Australia, and that he has not stood up to the Liberals when it comes to decisions on policy. These rumours are not new and have been circulating for some time now. Many point to the Liberals dominating the coalitions direction as a reason as to why McCormack is weak and has allowed the cafe latte city elite to be in control whilst many out in the bush suffer.
Despite many regional areas benefiting from a new coal-fired power station, McCormack has joined Scott Morrison in condemning such an idea. It seems that the Liberals and some within the National Party have chosen to not differentiate themselves from the far-left by having a hate for coal and a preference for renewables. McCormack although not ruling out the idea, has chosen to play games and show weakness on investing in what will provide new jobs and cheap energy.
Further tensions erupted when Barnaby Joyce described himself as the “elected deputy prime minister” and said while he would not move against McCormack, he would run for the top job if it was vacated. In political terms it means that he will be applying pressure until it becomes obvious that McCormack no longer has the numbers in which then he will pounce and take his job. When Barnaby argued that the Nationals were not “married” to the Liberals on energy policy, McCormack fired a personal blow by saying “I understand what it takes to have a successful marriage.”
Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie has backed up her leader and in the process taken a swipe at Barnaby Joyce for fueling internal tensions. NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro has told his federal colleagues to “shut up” after days of infighting. Barilaro mentioned that this was damaging the NSW branch in the lead-up to the State Election. If one was to look deeply into how the Nationals are performing in rural NSW, it is no wonder why he is so desperate to do what he can not only to save the Party from a massive defeat, but to also save himself from losing his marginally held seat.
The Nationals are set to face a huge swing against them in the NSW State Election. The rise of parties such as Shooters Fishers & Farmers, & One Nation will make inroads into their vote and cause some upsets. NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro is a big chance of losing his seat. He is holding it with a thin (2.5%) margin, and SFF have a very strong chance in performing well or at the very least denting the incumbents vote so much that Labor pull ahead. In the seat of Murray the Nationals suffered a 19% swing against them at the 2017 By-election with SFF narrowly missing out. Helen Dalton has a strong chance of winning this seat (3.3%) this time round as they gain momentum within the rural electorate.
Other seats that SFF can make an impact in are Bathurst (15.8%), Barwon (12.9%), Upper Hunter (2.2%), & Myall Lakes (8.7%). The Nationals also have major threats from Labor in the marginal seats of Lismore (0.2%), and Tweed (3.2%). Orange will be a likely retain for Phil Donato of the SFF Party and Wagga Wagga will likely be retained by an Independent. If all these seats were to fall it would reduce the presence of the Nationals from 16 seats to 8 and plummet the Berejiklian government at the very best into a hung parliament.
The Nationals in recent times have continued to be controlled by the Liberals rather than standing up for the bush. They have gone down the track of political correctness and have embraced extreme green ideology with their condemnation of coal. Country voters need representatives that fight for local jobs and invest in their local area as-well as retain strong values that reject the far-left’s progressive agenda. Rather than focusing on Sydney stadium rebuilds, we need to focus on our farmers. This election will definitely be a wake up call to the Nats, and it is something that we need so that we get the best people fighting on behalf of us.
Damien Ferri
Senior Editor Of The Unshackled