Nationals MP faces party expulsion after Minns taps him for top job

Senior NSW Nationals have threatened to boot one of their MPs out of the party unless he abandons his ambition for the plum job of upper house president,as Premier Chris Minns confirmed he would support his close friend Ben Franklin for the role.

Nationals MPs were livid on Wednesday as it emerged that Franklin,the godfather to one of Minns’s sons,was considering defying party leadership by accepting the role after he was approached by the Labor premier to nominate.

Former minister and Nationals MP Ben Franklin.

Former minister and Nationals MP Ben Franklin.Louise Kennerley

The Nationals’ party leadership was blindsided by news that Franklin was considering the role,and party leader Paul Toole said he had contacted Franklin this week after hearing rumours the MP had been sought out by Labor. Franklin did not respond to requests for comment.

“I’ve spoken to him about this and informed him the senior leadership team would not support this as this has the potential to hurt us the in the upper house,” Toole said.

“I hope he takes this quite seriously[and] knows that if he decides to nominate for this position,it would come back to the party room and most likely end with the central executive of the NSW Nationals ... he said he will take on board comments that have been made.”

Deputy Nationals leader Bronnie Taylor echoed that warning,saying she conveyed her opposition to Franklin in parliament on Wednesday,when she asked him not to accept the nomination.

Senior NSW Nationals - including leader Paul Toole (centre),Bronnie Taylor (left) and Sarah Mitchell (right) - have told Ben Franklin not to nominate for the role of president.

Senior NSW Nationals - including leader Paul Toole (centre),Bronnie Taylor (left) and Sarah Mitchell (right) - have told Ben Franklin not to nominate for the role of president.James Brickwood

“If he doesn’t,that will be a matter for the party,” she said.

Those public warnings came after Minns confirmed on Wednesday that he had spoken to Franklin about taking the upper house position,which attracts the same privileges as a minister,and would support him if he nominated for the role.

He said he would encourage his partyroom to endorse supporting a candidate “who is not a member of our party”.

“If someone nominates for the position other than Mark Latham than it is possible the NSW Labor government will support their nomination,” he said.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has named part of his new frontbench.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has named part of his new frontbench.Janie Barrett

The internal divisions within the junior Coalition partner came at an awkward time for the embattled party,playing out on the same day Liberal leader Mark Speakman announced the “first tranche” of his opposition frontbench.

Former treasurer Matt Kean hold the opposition health portfolio while the party’s upper house leader,Damien Tudehope,will become shadow treasurer.

Natalie Ward – who will face her own challenge to become the party’s deputy during a ballot next week – will take the opposition’s transport and roads portfolios.

While Toole will retain police and fellow National Sarah Mitchell remains in education,Taylor missed out on becoming opposition health spokeswoman. Instead she will retain regional health,as well as trade and seniors.

Former treasurer Matt Kean will become opposition health spokesman.

Former treasurer Matt Kean will become opposition health spokesman.Flavio Brancaleone

Alister Henskens,a former barrister who was touted as a potential Liberal leader,will become the shadow attorney-general.

But with parliament set to resume next week,a series of portfolios including energy,planning and housing have yet to be announced.

Those changes were overshadowed by the fracas within the National party.

One Nationals MP said Franklin would be committing an act of “treachery” if he accepted the job because it would give Labor an effective progressive majority in the evenly balanced upper house.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has asked Nationals MP Ben Franklin to nominate for upper house president.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has asked Nationals MP Ben Franklin to nominate for upper house president.James Alcock

“Minns has come out of the blue and offered it to a friend. Franklin should not take the role if he wants to remain a Nat,” said the Nationals MP,who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to freely discuss internal matters.

Upper house presidential perks include and driver,staff and a salary on par with a government minister.

“This bloke is the godfather to one of Minns’ kids,essentially being offered one of the top jobs in parliament. And if he takes it,we lose a vote.”

Another MP said:“I think he would prefer not to leave the party,but if he accepts,I don’t understand how he could stay. I don’t think the party will tolerate this.”

Minns on Wednesday conceded it “could be the case” that it would make it easier for the government to pass legislation.

“I’m being upfront about that,” he said. “It’s a recognition from us that we don’t have majorities[in either house of parliament].”

He denied some Nationals’ suggestion that their personal friendship meant it was a case of “jobs for the boys”,pointing out Labor had previously supported Liberal MP Matthew Mason-Cox for upper house president in the last term of parliament,and independent Greg Piper for lower house speaker.

Former minister and Nationals upper house leader Sarah Mitchell said she had also asked Franklin not to accept the role,arguing it was “not a position for the National party to hold”.

However,the issue did not trouble all party members,with one simply responding:“It’s the upper house. Who cares?”

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Lucy Cormack is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age,based in Dubai.

Michael McGowan is a state political reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald

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