Barilaro, Turnbull relationship 'broken'

NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro says he has the support of the NSW premier, despite calling for the prime minister to resign last week.

(AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says he still has the support of Premier Gladys Berejiklian. (AAP)

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro admits his relationship with the Prime Minister is "broken" following an open attack on the man in the nation's top job.

Mr Barilaro on Friday told on Sydney's 2GB radio that Malcolm Turnbull should resign as a "Christmas gift" to Australians, furthering tensions within the coalition.

Three days later Mr Barilaro says he stands by his comments and concedes his relationship with Mr Turnbull has fallen apart.

"My relationship with the prime minister is a broken relationship," Mr Barilaro told reporters in Queanbeyan on Monday.

"I made some comments regardless of what everybody is saying about those comments, I made them, I own them."

Mr Barilaro's remarks forced NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to publicly distance herself from her deputy.

Ms Berejiklian said in a statement on Friday that her deputy had "expressed a personal view which I do not share".

However, Mr Barilaro was adamant on Monday that he still had her support.

"I can tell you that before the premier left for overseas, I have had conversations with her and she stands by me being deputy premier of NSW," Mr Barilaro told ABC radio.

Mr Barilaro said it was now up to him to try and "work through" the problems he had with Mr Turnbull and try to rebuild a relationship with him.


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Source: AAP


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