Premier Rees denies NSW backbench revolt

NSW Premier Nathan Rees insists he is in control of his party despite mounting evidence of disunity over the harsh mini-budget and his decision to axe Tony Stewart from cabinet. Mr Stewart on Friday claimed the majority of caucus supported his decision to seek a
judicial review of the inquiry that led to Mr Rees dumping him from cabinet on Tuesday.

Up to 12 Labor MPs have publicly backed the former assistant health and small business minister by sitting in parliament as he described the inquiry that found he verbally abused a staffer as flawed and a denial of natural justice.

At the same time, three Labor MPs have now publicly spoken out against measures contained in Tuesday's slash-and-burn mini-budget. They are Monaro MP Steve Whan, Blacktown MP Paul Gibson and Miranda MP Barry Collier.

Asked if there was a looming backroom revolt, Mr Rees insisted "there was not".
He said he would not apologise for dumping Mr Stewart after the inquiry by Chris
Ronalds SC determined he had lied when he denied abusing staffer Tina Sanger and
holding her in her seat at a charity event.
"There are strong views around the place on this, I accept that," Mr Rees told
Fairfax Radio Network.
"I arranged for an inquiry, the inquiry delivered me some findings, I accepted those
findings.
"I don't apologise for one moment for upholding high standards."
Mr Whan on Thursday night told state parliament he would campaign to oppose the
mini-budget's closure of the Gaden Trout Hatchery in the Snowy Mountains town of
Jindabyne.
Mr Gibson and Mr Collier have also publicly opposed the mini-budget decision to
scrap free student travel to school.
Mr Rees again defended that decisions and others, saying they would turn around the
slowing NSW economy.
"My job is not to take the popular decisions, it's to take the hard decisions," he
said.
"I wish it wasn't that way sometimes but if I was in the job for populism, then I
wouldn't be the right man for it.
"If you want someone who is prepared to recognise the landscape, prepared to set us
up for the future ... that's what we're about."
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said it was all well and good for Labor MPs to
voice their dissent at decisions taken by their premier.
But he said they needed to follow up their words with actions.
"Mr Whan, Mr Collier and Mr Gibson are press-release prima donnas," he told reporters.
"When votes occur in parliament they still sit with the Labor Party.
"Their constituents need to separate them from their rhetoric and need to ensure
that their words translate into action in parliament."
Anyone angry about the mini-budget or the government's performance in general should
visit their local Labor MP and let them know, Mr O'Farrell said.