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 has revealed he couldn’t get out of bed and nearly quit parliament
- The Nationals leader found himself in hot water in September over koala threats
- Mr Barilaro then announced he would take four weeks mental health leave
- Then came reports Mr Barilaro would lose his licence over speeding fines
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 (pictured) 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.