John Barilaro's mental health battle: Deputy premier reveals how his koala stoush with Gladys Berejiklian left him 'suffering and struggling to get out of bed'
John Barilaro couldn't get out of bed and nearly quit parliament, the NSW deputy premier said on his return from a four-week mental health break.
The outspoken Nationals leader found himself in hot water in September when he threatened to blow up the coalition government if concessions weren't made on its koala protection policy.
Under pressure to quit and copping criticism from all sides, a week later Mr Barilaro announced he would take four weeks mental health leave.
John Barilaro couldn't get out of bed and nearly quit parliament, the NSW deputy premier said on his return from a four-week mental health break
It hasn't been smooth sailing for the coalition in his absence, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian weathering her own political storm over revelations she had a long-term secret relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire who's at the centre of a corruption probe
But the hits kept coming, with reports Mr Barilaro would lose his licence over speeding fines keeping him in the news.
Now back from his break, Mr Barilaro says taking time off was the right call.
'It is never easy to admit that you have got a mental health issue and you are struggling and suffering,' he told ABC TV on Wednesday.
'I remember being at home struggling to get out of bed.'
Mr Barilaro (left, with Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet) also revealed he almost impulsively quit parliament at an emotional NSW Nationals Party meeting
Mr Barilaro also revealed he almost impulsively quit parliament at an emotional NSW Nationals Party meeting.
'In the back of my head, I thought 'Do I announce today? It is over. I can't do it anymore',' he said.
'If you asked me three and a bit weeks ago, it felt like I wasn't coming back.'
It hasn't been smooth sailing for the coalition in his absence, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian weathering her own political storm over revelations she had a long-term secret relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire who's at the centre of a corruption probe.
The koala policy stoush has since been resolved, with concessions.
Koalas 'lose out' under new bill in NSW
Large-scale agricultural businesses and property developers would be exempt from some koala protection laws in a new proposal before NSW parliament this week, an environmental conservation group says.
The Nature Conservation Council is calling on state members of parliament to vote down the Local Land Services Amendment Bill, saying it prevents further expansion of koala habitat protections into private farmland.
Nature Conservation Council chief executive Chris Gambian said the bill meant property developers could bulldoze koala habitats without approval.
'Nothing in this bill helps ensure koalas survive beyond 2050,' Mr Gambian said in a statement.
'Basically the Nationals gave the Liberals a choice between saving the Coalition or saving the koala and they chose themselves.'
He said supporting farmers was importing and could be implemented in other ways including funding the cost for small family farms to be surveyed properly.
'The answer is not trashing the Koala regulations.'
In September NSW Nationals leader and deputy premier John Barilaro threatened to blow up the coalition government after demanding concessions for rural property owners regarding protected koala habitats.
A month later amendments were made to the State Environmental Planning Policy, which Premier Gladys Berejiklian described as a balanced outcome, but environmentalists said watered down koala protections.