As the NSW Coalition battles to save a seat vacated by an MP accused of raping a sex worker, the timing of new sexual assault allegations within the Berejiklian government could not be worse.
The Nationals are desperately trying to retain Upper Hunter in next weekend’s byelection or risk remaining in minority government. Now it must fight that battle with the shadow of another serious sexual assault allegation hanging ominously over the Coalition.
The handling of the investigation into Gareth Ward will be a test for Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the NSW Coalition. Credit:Jessica Hromas
Even before Disability Services Minister Gareth Ward revealed he was the NSW MP under police investigation for sexual violence allegations, which he denies and no charges have been laid (he did not know about the claims, nor had he spoken to police), Deputy Premier John Barilaro was very clear in his expectations.
Barilaro sent a pointed message to Premier Gladys Berejiklian. “This is not acceptable,” Mr Barilaro told 2GB on Thursday afternoon. “I have proven that in my own actions and the same would have to apply here.” In other words, Berejiklian must insist that Ward resign.
Barilaro was referring to the action he took against one of his own, Michael Johnsen, the MP who is accused of raping a sex worker - allegations which Johnsen denies and no charges have been laid.
Salacious details were also revealed about Johnsen’s $1000 offer to the sex worker to attend Macquarie Street for sex and a string of lewd messages he sent her while Parliament was sitting.
Barilaro demanded Johnsen’s resignation, sparking the byelection in Upper Hunter next weekend. The Nationals hold that seat with a wafer-thin margin of just 2.6 per cent.
One political strategist not linked to the Nationals insists that polling in recent weeks shows the Nationals could just scrape over the line in Upper Hunter (despite Berejiklian initially insisting it would take a miracle to win the seat). That small lead could now be terminally damaged.
The strategist says the Nationals were on track to buck the trend of incumbents losing byelections because issues affecting their voter base were dealt with “quickly and efficiently”. The strategist was referring to Barilaro’s swift and decisive action over Johnsen, as well as insisting former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull have no role in the government’s climate policy.
Berejiklian will be reluctant to make the same demands of Ward. Not only because the allegations against her factional ally are not as advanced as they were against Johnsen, but she would not want to face yet another risky byelection. She needs Ward’s support from on the crossbench.
Barilaro is unlikely to let this slide. On the back of national anger over the treatment of women in politics, he was left with little choice. It is hard to see how Berejiklian will be either.
Regardless, the timing of the latest revelations will be a devastating hit on the Coalition, not just in Upper Hunter next week but as it tries to retain government in 2023.
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Alexandra Smith is the State Political Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.
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2021-05-13 10:01:03Z
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