‘We have to work together’ with Libs

PETER Walsh dismissed comments from Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien that The Nationals should consider splitting from the Liberals.

“If we are going to present as a strong alternative government, we have to work together,” Mr Walsh said.

Mr O’Brien told ABC radio the party had not considered breaking up the Coalition but the discussion should be on the table.

“We need to think about what the best is, not just for us, but for the Liberal Party,” he said.

“[The Liberals] are going to go through a fair bit of soul searching in coming days and weeks and months, and we have performed very well.

“Ultimately, we want to be in government and being able to deliver from the government benches for the people of rural and regional Victoria.

“We’re not going to be for the next four years, it’s going to be tough, even for the next election too, so we need to be considering what the best options are for us.”

But Mr Walsh condemned Mr O’Brien’s comments.

“Danny is totally outside his remit in saying that because it’s not a discussion that’s been had in the party room,” he said.

“When we had that discussion in the party room a number of years ago there was overwhelming support for staying in Coalition.

“He is way out of bounds by saying something at this stage without the party room talking about it.”