BREAKING NEWS: Nationals MP John Barilaro blasts deputy prime minister Michael McCormack in leaked text tirade - one day after aborted run for Federal Parliament
- John Barilaro has unloaded on Michael McCormack in a leaked text tirade
- It comes after NSW deputy premier ruled out a tilt for Federal Parliament
- 'You will never be acknowledged by me as our leader,' Barilaro reportedly said
- Liberal Andrew Constance will distanced run for the seat of Eden Monaro
- The bellweather seat is being vacated by ill Labor MP Mike Kelly
New South Wales deputy premier John Barilaro has unloaded on Nationals leader Michael McCormack in a leaked text message tirade.
In fuming messages published by Sky News on Tuesday, Mr Barilaro vowed he will never acknowledge Mr McCormack as his party's Federal leader.
The outspoken state MP alleged that Mr McCormack feels 'threatened' by him and claims that means he has 'failed' in his role.
'You will never be acknowledged by me as our leader. You aren't. You never will be,' Mr Barilaro is quoted saying.
In fuming messages published by Sky News on Tuesday, New South Wales deputy premier John Barilaro (above) vowed he will never acknowledge Michael McCormack as his party's leader
The leaked texts were sent to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack (above, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison)
According to Sky, the screed continued: 'The Nats had a chance to create history, to change momentum, and you had a candidate that was prepared to risk everything to make it happen.
'What did you risk? Nothing. Hope you are proud of yourself.'
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The rant emerged one day after Mr Barilaro ruled himself out of a tilt for the seat for the marginal federal seat of Eden Monaro at a tearful press conference.
Mr Barilaro said he had decided not to run as he could 'do more' as deputy premier of Australia's biggest state and tweeted the decision was made for 'his family'.
State transport minister Andrew Constance announced on Tuesday that he will quit NSW Cabinet and run against Labor candidate Kristy McBain.
Mr Constance said he wanted to put 'a number of issues squarely on the national agenda' - from the summer's bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The race is on: State transport minister Andrew Constance is seeking pre-selection for the seat of Eden Monaro and will likely face Labor candidate Kristy McBain
The bellweather seat is being vacated by Labor MP Mike Kelly, who has resigned due to health problems.
The byelection will be the first electoral test for Prime Minister Scott Morrison's government since the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Mr Barilaro is no stranger to bomb-throwing, causing a storm when he called for then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to resign in 2017 - well before he was rolled.
Daily Mail Australia has approached Mr McCormack's office for comment on the leak.
More to follow
'BARRA THE BRAWLER': THE INSIDE STORY OF NEW SOUTH WALES DEPUTY PREMIER JOHN BARILARO
By Charlie Moore, political reporter for Daily Mail Australia:
Born to Italian migrants in Queanbeyan, John Barilaro left school to work in his father Domenico's window frame and door manufacturer, Ryleho, which he later managed.
A passionate soccer fan, Mr Barilaro - know by friends as 'Barra' - helped found the Monaro Panthers Football Club and served as club president for eight years.
The businessman, a married father of three daughters, entered politics in 2008 when he was elected as an independent councillor for Queanbeyan City Council.
Three years later he became the state MP for Monaro representing the National Party and earned a reputation as a 'brawler member' - in his words - because of his combative approach to politics as a backbencher and a minister.
When he was made Nationals state leader in 2016 he declared 'I'm a fighter' and vowed to continue making demands for regional New South Wales even if it meant upsetting Liberal colleagues.
Nationals colleagues heaped praise on him for his work ethic, upbeat personality and for listening more closely to locals voters.
John Barilaro, a married father of three daughters, entered politics in 2008 when he was elected as an independent councillor for Queanbeyan City Council
'We're returning to our grass roots as a party and listening to what concerns are closest to people's heart,' said Clarence Valley MP Chris Gulaptis after the leader visited his electorate in 2017.
In 2017 Mr Barilaro caused a storm when he called for then prime minister Malcolm Turbull to resign.
In an interview with radio host Alan Jones, he said Mr Turnbull 'lacked leadership'.
'Turnbull should give Australians a Christmas gift and go before Christmas,' he said.
The comments forced Premier Gladys Berejiklian to distance herself from her deputy, saying he was only expressing a 'personal view'.
They also angered federal MPs. Former attorney-general George Brandis described the comments as 'the dribblings of some obscure politician who nobody outside of NSW has ever heard of'.
Federal Nationals MP Llew O'Brien even slammed the comments, saying in a tweet that Mr Barilaro should 'focus on his role as vice-captain of reserve grade and let the big boys and girls take care of federal matters.'
The pair reportedly exchanged some choice words about the Twitter spat at an event on the Gold Coast before locals encouraged them to walk away.
In June last year, Mr Barilaro threatened to quit as deputy premier so he could more freely criticise the Liberal Party and demand better funding for the regions.
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