Gladys Berejiklian gives NSW Nationals deadline to reverse threat to sit on crossbench

NSW premier tells deputy he cannot sit on crossbench and remain in cabinet after dispute sparked by koala protection

The New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has given her deputy, John Barilaro, until Friday morning to reverse his threat to have the Nationals sit on the crossbenches or he and his fellow Nationals ministers will be stripped of their portfolios.

The crisis in the Coalition has been prompted by National party demands over koala policy which passed through cabinet and became law earlier this year but which the Nationals now want to be changed.