NEW England MP Barnaby Joyce has a strong message for the NSW Premier after Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams left the National Party for the Liberal Party.
The former Deputy Prime Minister called on Gladys Berejiklian to unite the Coalition in light of Mrs Williams' move, which was inspired by the Nationals threat to effectively sit on the cross bench earlier this month.
"I say to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, please strongly consider what you do next," Mr Joyce told the Northern Daily Leader.
"If you accept Mrs Williams, you've got to accept that if people want to leave the Liberal Party and join the National Party then you have to let them go.
"How's that going to work for stability?"
The Port Macquarie MP announced her intention to move camps on Sunday.
She said people in her electorate were "very angry" about Nationals leader John Barilaro's recent threat to take his MPs to the cross bench over changes to the state's koala protection laws.
"I think it is very disappointing and I will let Mrs Williams speak for herself, but as a process I find it disappointing," Mr Joyce said.
"I will say this, if we get into the habit of people leaving the National Party to join the Liberal Party, then undoubtedly in the future, we will have people leaving the Liberal Party to join the National Party.
"It will become chaotic."
Despite Mrs Williams' move, Mr Joyce said he believed "the Coalition is working well".
"The nexus of which this issue revolves around is property rights," he said.
"I think that issue has to be dealt with and I believe the statements of Ms Berejiklian is that they are going to bring about the changes.
"I think that is positive because stability is key right now."
Mrs Williams, who has been with the party for 15 years, opposed Mr Barilaro's move, as well as a "threatening" letter he sent to Ms Berijiklian on the issue.
"All the decisions I've ever made, all of the actions I've ever taken are all on the premise they are in the best interests of my community," Mrs Williams said.
"At the end of the day, we are a Coalition.
"I was elected as a member of a Liberal-Nationals government.
"I just think the actions of last week were really reckless. I think it was so inappropriate."
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson was contacted for comment.
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