Perhaps Speakman could have paid Fang a visit,sent him a text to say he was in town,or even had his office make a courtesy call. Beyond being polite,the opposition leader had no formal obligation. Fang is not the local elected member. He simply lives in Wagga (when not residing in Sydney).
Fang took to social media to accuse Speakman of “slinking” into Wagga and meeting instead the local independent MP,Joe McGirr. Fang finished his post:“That should tell you everything you need to know about the longevity of Speako’s leadership”.
Speakman was none too pleased and demanded Nationals leader Dugald Saunders,a close ally of Fang’s,demote the recalcitrant MP from the most junior of junior frontbench positions. Saunders refused,so the Liberals floated the idea of splitting from the Nationals – that is,of ending the state Coalition’s 97-year marriage of convenience.
We have been here before,although roles were reversed. During Gladys Berejiklian’s premiership,then Nationals leader John Barilaro threatened to take his entire team to the crossbench over little-known koala planning laws. At the time,the notion seemed inconceivable,not to mention churlish. Berejiklian stood her ground,threatened to install an all-Liberal frontbench and Barilaro surrendered.
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This was a very different set of circumstances. While extreme,Barilaro’s ultimatum related to a policy dispute. The latest split would have been over hurt feelings.
Fang is known for his outbursts in the chamber,which are often aimed at his own side. Senior Liberals in the upper house are aghast that his behaviour,especially towards Liberal MP Aileen MacDonald,has been allowed to continue. He regularly interjects when she is talking,and scoffs at the points she is making. Nasty swipes at opponents are one thing in politics;targeting your own is another.