Malcolm Turnbull has been urged to resign from the Liberal Party after he donated $3,000 to an independent candidate fighting the government in Saturday s Upper Hunter by-election.
New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro has called the former prime minister treacherous and a disgrace after he threw his support behind anti-coal farmer Kirsty O Connell in the seat held by the National Party.
Mr Turnbull owns two huge farms in the region and wants to stop the local Mount Pleasant coalmine from being expanded because he claims it would ruin his air quality and views.
Malcolm Turnbull has thrown his support behind anti-coal farmer Kirsty O Connell (pictured together) in the seat held by the National Party