Koalagate was all about the Nationals trying to regain their faded political support | Quentin Dempster

The pressure seems to have taken a personal toll on John Barilaro. But whether or not he remains leader, the problems of the party aren't going awayKoalagate was a stunt. John Barilaro's NSW Nationals attempted to breach the party's 2019 Coalition agreement with the Liberals because they are struggling to retain constituent support in its remaining electorates.The blanket publicity generated by the "madness", as Barilaro played brinkmanship with premier Gladys Berejiklian over koala habitat protection regulations, has been seen by the Nationals as a big win for the brand. Continue reading...