State coalition in disarray as Speakman 'sacks' Nats MP

state coalition in disarray as speakman 'sacks' nats mp

NSW Nationals MP Wes Fang was dumped from the shadow ministry over a fiery post on Mark Speakman.

The NSW coalition is at war with itself after state Liberal leader Mark Speakman moved to sack a Nationals MP from shadow cabinet.

Mr Speakman described Wagga Wagga-based upper house MP Wes Fang's position as untenable following a personal attack on the opposition leader in a now-deleted Facebook post.

"I have therefore terminated his appointments as shadow assistant minister for police and emergency services, shadow assistant minister for regional NSW, and shadow assistant minister for agriculture and natural resources, with immediate effect," he said in a statement.

"I have invited the leader of the nationals, Dugald Saunders MP, to nominate another Nationals MP to fill the vacated positions."

But the Nationals rejected the sacking, suggesting Mr Speakman didn't have the authority to remove him from shadow cabinet.

"As Wes is a member of the NSW Nationals, myself and my leadership team have formed the view that he is unable to be stood down in this way," Mr Saunders said.

"Therefore, Wes will continue to serve as shadow assistant minister for police and emergency services, shadow assistant minister for regional NSW, and shadow assistant minister for agriculture and natural resources.

"The NSW Nationals are committed to working with our coalition partners to ensure the best outcomes for NSW."

Mr Speakman issued another statement reiterating his stance and saying as opposition leader, he determined appointments to shadow ministry.

The internal stoush was sparked by a social media post from Mr Fang, accusing Mr Speakman of not notifying him about a visit to Wagga Wagga in which he met with local independent MP Joe McGirr.

"So ... the leader of the NSW Liberals Mark Speakman, slinks into #WaggaWagga, pretending like the Libs actually care about the Riverina," the post read.

"Did he ask the 'Coalition' member who lives in Wagga Wagga and is apparently part of his 'team' to have an in-depth discussion of Wagga Wagga issues?

"No. In fact, he didn't even have the courtesy to let me know he was coming."

OTHER NEWS

26 minutes ago

Busselton fatal crash: 18-year old woman dies on notorious stretch of road in state’s southwest

26 minutes ago

‘Best interests of this club’: Wests Tigers lock in three stadium policy for home matches

29 minutes ago

Advocates say child protection system 'destroys families and communities' in northern WA

29 minutes ago

Rassie Erasmus has Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok Springbok flyhalf selection headache

29 minutes ago

Rassie spoilt for choice ahead of Ireland clash

29 minutes ago

Spain manager reveals his Euro 2024 favourites ahead of Germany quarter final

29 minutes ago

Life at the heart of Japan’s lonely deaths epidemic: ‘I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried’

29 minutes ago

Bilby DNA blueprint may help save iconic Australian animal from extinction

29 minutes ago

Immigration and housing crisis key issues in upcoming election, opposition proposes migration cuts

29 minutes ago

Amna Al Dahak emphasises UAE's commitment to collaborating with BRICS on food security, trade, and environmental conservation

29 minutes ago

Fearless Georgia departs Euro 2024 but leaves behind plenty of highlights

29 minutes ago

Princess Anne's husband shares health update after royal's hospitalisation

33 minutes ago

After Austria clash, is this the end of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris’s bromance?

37 minutes ago

The 2025 Polestar 4 Is Good, But I Miss The Rear Window

37 minutes ago

Treasurer Jim Chalmers 'denies' billions in tax cuts will cause inflation

37 minutes ago

Trump narrows vice presidential field as national convention nears

37 minutes ago

‘As complicit as Saddam’: people on BA flight held hostage in Kuwait sue UK government

37 minutes ago

Report: Clippers sign Derrick Jones Jr. to three-year, $30 million deal

37 minutes ago

UW QB Will Rogers Attends Manning Passing Academy

37 minutes ago

Khloe Kardashian throws Dolly Parton-themed 40th birthday party

37 minutes ago

Australian Taxation Office slammed as ‘a joke’ for long queues on returns website

37 minutes ago

Knife-wielding black-clad robber ‘traumatises’ servo worker in Sydney’s west

37 minutes ago

2024 Ford Ranger Black Edition brings more kit for less money

37 minutes ago

18-year old woman dies on notorious stretch of road in state’s southwest

37 minutes ago

Home and Away: Meet Cantona Stewart, Summer Bay’s new kid on the block

37 minutes ago

Taylor Swift gets stranded in stage malfunction

37 minutes ago

Rodri leads slick Spain into Germany showdown after brave Georgia's astonishing start

37 minutes ago

Euro 2024: Who will England play next and when? Opponents for quarter-finals named

37 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu vs Ekaterina Alexandrova start time: TV channel and free live stream for Wimbledon today

37 minutes ago

Video: Infamous Australian party boy Corey Worthington reveals how he was almost lured into a shock act at the age of 16

37 minutes ago

Video: What cost of living crisis? Adrian 'Mr Lambo' Portelli lives up to his name and splashes out on a $4.3m Lamborghini yacht and shares a glimpse at the James Bond-style boat

37 minutes ago

Millions to pay lower summer energy bills as UK price cap drops

37 minutes ago

Microsoft tells yet more customers their emails have been stolen

37 minutes ago

UK economy ‘turning a corner’ as global growth slows, says KPMG

37 minutes ago

Rio Tinto share price marching higher amid $426 million 'industry-leading' step

37 minutes ago

A royal racquet at Wimbledon! From Kate with her eyes on the ball to Princess Charlotte meeting a spaniel... the moments when the royals became the attraction at SW19

37 minutes ago

Sixty-three of Princess Diana's show-stopping outfits on what would have been her 63rd birthday... including the dress that sent a clear message to Camilla

45 minutes ago

Man criticized for not returning $100 his daughter received at her ‘no gifts’ party

45 minutes ago

China’s slump in home sales slows after cities ease policy

45 minutes ago

City of Fredericton criticized for closed council meetings