Turnbull urges Upper Hunter voters to turn their backs on Nationals
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Malcolm Turnbull has endorsed independent candidate Kirsty O’Donnell in the Upper Hunter by-election. (ABC News: Jake Lapham)
A war of words has broken out between former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Nationals leader John Barilaro ahead of the Upper Hunter by-election.
Mr Turnbull, who owns a grazing property in the electorate, is urging voters to back independent candidate Kirsty O’Connell, and abandon the National party that has held the seat since 1932.
“She [O’Connell] won’t sell-out the health of the community in the way the National party has done, in the way they’ve cuddled up to the big mining companies with no regard to what the people need here,” Mr Turnbull said, while visiting a pub in Aberdeen.
“Nobody has done more to destabilise and disrupt the Berejiklian government than John Barilaro.”
Nationals leader John Barilaro hit back, telling the ABC: “The arrogance of Malcolm Turnbull knows no bounds”.
“It is one thing to lecture regional communities from the comforts of his Point Piper mansion, but to parade himself across the Upper Hunter and actively campaign against the livelihoods of thousands of people.
“He is an absolute disgrace.”
A win for O’Connell in thewould plunge the Berejiklian government into minority, but Mr Turnbull said that could be a positive for the region.
“It’s not a bad thing for governments to actually have to consult with other people and to respect others,” he said.
“I think Kirsty O’Connell will be a phenomenal contribution to the state parliament and one that — while she would never be able to say it publicly of course — Gladys Berejiklian would privately appreciate.”
Mr Turnbull was last month after he called for a moratorium on new coal mines, but he denies his support for O’Connell is about revenge.
“She has simply been making the point that so many others have, including myself, that really we have got more than enough capacity in the existing coal mines in this valley already.
“In fact they’re producing 100 million tonnes a year less than they are legally able to produce,” he said.
Ms O’Connell, a fifth-generation farmer from Aberdeen, said she approached Mr Turnbull to support her campaign.
“Having someone who is experienced and principled and intelligent give you advice and give you support is never a bad thing,” she said.
“I think the voters of the Upper Hunter are fed up with being taken for granted.”
Mr Barilaro said Mr Turnbull’s actions since “being dumped as Prime Minister” were “nothing short of treachery”.
“He actively destroyed the Morrison Government’s majority in the Wentworth by-election and now he is actively campaigning to destroy the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government,” he said.
Labor candidate Jeff Drayton said Mr Turnbull wouldn’t find much support at pubs in Aberdeen.
“Their view I think would be pro-mining and they would share a very different view to Mr Turnbull,” he said.
The ABC has sought comment from Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Nationals candidate David Layzell.
Video: Premier Peter Gutwein needs one more seat for majority (ABC NEWS)
Source: Thanks msn.com