NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro has promised to fight his Liberal colleagues for a fair deal for regional NSW, saying he is prepared to give up the title of deputy premier if it means he can achieve more for the bush.
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In an address delivered at his party's state conference on Friday morning, Mr Barilaro said he would be seeking support from colleagues and the party executive to consider relinquishing the title.
"In itself deputy premier means I am subservient to a premier that is a leader of another party which makes it difficult to assert our brand as a stand-alone party in this state," he said.
"If it means I can speak more freely and achieve more for the bush then I am prepared to relinquish the title of the deputy premier."
The deputy premier said the party needs to be more outspoken where they disagree with their coalition partner. As the "older sibling" of the Liberals, the Nationals "still have the ability to stamp our authority when we need to".
"We fight for our fair share but rarely is it seen outside the cabinet room," he said.
He noted the Nationals were a separate party with communities that rely on it.
"We must be respected. We must not be taken for granted and our coalition partners will need to work harder for our support."
He suggested the scrapping of a formula that gives 30 per cent of asset recycling proceeds to the regions, as well as cost-benefit ratios.
"No longer will we allow decisions of government to be able to hide behind the weasel words of bean counters in treasury and process."
The Nationals were punished by voters in the NSW election in March, losing three seats - one to Labor and two to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers.
"If we as Nats are not representing our communities the way our electorates expect us to, then they will let us know at the ballot box," Mr Barilaro said.
He declared the party's campaign for the 2023 state election "starts now" and that the Nationals needed to ensure they don't lose their voice in parliament as city populations rise.
Mr Barilaro is prepared to introduce special legislation to change the NSW Electoral Act to achieve "real fairness and representation" for regional communities, noting that a redistribution could see an increase in city seats and the expense of rural seats.
"The idea that population numbers somehow constitute a fair and equitable area for representation just doesn't stack up."
Later, Mr Barilaro told 2GB that Gladys Berejiklian was a great premier who cares for the bush "more than any other leader" he's worked with.
"At the same time she is part of a party that is separate to us ... and it's time for me to stand up for our values and what we stand for and that's all I'm doing today."
