Deputy Premier Prue Car has accused the NSW Nationals of throwing “hissy fits” over Nationals MP Ben Franklin potentially taking the role of upper house president on the advice of Premier and his friend Chris Minns.
The move has caused outrage among the Nationals, with The Daily Telegraph revealing the Nationals chairman Andrew Fraser plans to refer the matter to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Chris Minns has recommended the role of upper house president go to former arts minister Ben Franklin. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
The move has caused controversy within the Nationals. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Jeremy Piper
While Mr Franklin would need to be voted in by the upper house, the position would come with a combined salary package of $315,814 and would prevent him from voting in the upper house, thus increasing Labor’s voting power.
When asked whether the matter should be investigated, Ms Car said the corruption watchdog resources shouldn’t be spent on a “hissy fit”.
“It’s up to Ben Franklin as to whether he nominates for the position,” she said on Thursday.
“Clearly, this is a pretty vexatious complaint. It’s just the National Party having a hissy fit. It’s a matter for the National Party.
Prue Car accused the National Party of throwing a hissy fit. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Christian Gilles
“They cannot be tying up the resources of the ICAC to monitor disagreements within their own party room and the whole of NSW having to watch their endless hissy fit after the election.”
When pressed, she doubled down that it was a matter for the parliament.
“If Ben nominates and he is elected, he is elected by that chamber,” she said.
“The National Party needs to try and fix their internal squabbling and monitor disagreements within their own political party.”