The New South Wales Coalition Government has reached a compromise over the state's koala protection policy, which threatened to split the coalition last month.
Key points:
- The parties say the policy strikes a balance between koala protection and farmers' rights
- Nationals MPs threatened to move to the crossbench over the policy
- Nationals leader John Barilaro is on mental health leave following the stoush
Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed the compromised deal ahead of a cabinet meeting to formalise talks next week, but disclosed little detail.
The policy threw the coalition into political turmoil in September, with the National Party leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro calling it "a nail in the coffin for farmers".
Mr Barilaro temporarily stepped down from his role following the stoush, citing mental health issues after dropping threats of his 19 MPs sitting on the crossbench.
He was forced to back down after Ms Berejiklian called their bluff and said they had to resign from their ministerial positions if they were to sit on the crossbench.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today acknowledged the upheaval caused to the government over the policy, adding it should not have transpired in that manner.
"It was never our intention to have to go through the process we did but it what it is, and I'm very pleased that we've arrived at a very sensible solution."
But she downplayed the damage done to the relationship with her Nationals colleagues.
"We've always been one big happy family but from time to time you have challenges," she said.
"I'm just pleased that we are where we're up to and it's a sign of a good government that you can come to these positions through consultation, through respectful discussion and through making sure that views are considered, and that's what we've done."
Ms Berejiklian and Acting Nationals leader and Deputy Premier Paul Toole said a balance had been struck between the interests of landowners and ensuring the survival of a species.
The Premier said the Government was focused on two key principles, including increasing the number of koalas in areas determined to be a core koala habitat.
"On many of these difficult issues, it's not one side or the other winning, it's everybody being better off," she said.
Under the previous draft policy, landowners would have been required to jump through more hoops to ensure koalas were not at risk if their land was to be cleared for development.
But after an agreement was reached today, the Nationals Party said the agreement ensured "farmers now have certainty".
Ms Berejiklian also suggested farmers' concerns had been considered.
"I feel the best environmentalists and the best conservationists in New South Wales are actually our farmers because they rely on the land," Ms Berejiklian said.
"That's always been my position, that's always been my personal philosophy and I want to thank the farming communities for the input they've had into this process."
The Government has flagged more detail is expected to be revealed after the Cabinet meeting on October 6.
'Heaven help us'
The state Opposition has called for more detail around the agreement, with Labor spokesman John Graham adding the Premier's announcement provided "no real news".
"There were very few details today, or in fact no details," Mr Graham said.
"We agree with the Premier that farmers can be some of the best environmentalists in the state, but I'll tell you who isn't — the developer mates of the National Party."
While the details of the deal are vague, Greens MP Cate Faehrmann urged the Premier to abandon it before next week's meeting.
"We need so much more done if we are actually to protect koalas and if this is the reaction, if this is a back down just on the first move, then heaven help us when it comes to koalas in New South Wales," she said.
"I fear [the Koalas'] future is very bleak if the Premier can't stand up to the National Party."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEwLTAyL25zdy1jb2FsaWl0b24tY29tZXMtdG8tYWdyZWVtZW50LW92ZXIta29hbGEtcHJvdGVjdGlvbi1wb2xpY3kvMTI3MjY3MzjSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI3MjY3Mzg?oc=5
2020-10-02 06:01:00Z
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