New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro has reiterated calls for Malcolm Turnbull to do the honourable thing and resign.
The Upper Hunter by-election scheduled for May 22 is a must-win for the NSW Coalition which will be plunged further into a minority government if it loses the tightly contested seat.
Mr Turnbull and his wife donated $6,000 total to fund Independent Kirsty O’Connell’s campaign in a move which was met with harsh criticism from Coalition colleagues.
“It seems he doesn’t want to be a member of the Liberal Party so do the honourable thing and resign – don’t wait for the party to sack you,” Mr Barilaro told Sky News.
“They’re honourable, they’re a good party. You don’t fit in.
“Rather than what you’re doing, which is treacherous against the party which gave you every opportunity to be the prime minister, resign – why not?”
