THE political commentary following Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams' snap resignation from the Nationals at the weekend has come thick and fast.
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But the move has made one thing very clear as Mrs Williams prepares to join the ranks of the Liberal Party and continue her support for a Coalition Government - she has no time for disrespect.
Her resignation was made public on September 20 following a torrid fortnight for the Nationals and its leader John Barilaro.
The Deputy Premier, in a rogue move, said his MPs would abstain from voting on coalition bills and would be "effectively on the cross bench" while they fought changes to the Koala Habitat Protection State Environmental Planning Policy.
Mrs Williams, who has been with the party for 15 years, opposed Mr Barilaro's move, as well as a "threatening" letter he sent to Premier Gladys Berijiklian on the issue.
She described his behaviour as "politically reckless and unreasonable" and it achieved nothing other than to destablise the government.
While it appeared she was a lone ranger on the issue, Mrs Williams said there are party members who have since thanked her.
"All the decisions I've ever made, all of the actions I've ever taken are all on the premises they are in the best interests of my community," Mrs Williams said.
"At the end of the day, we are a Coalition. I was elected as a member of a Liberal-Nationals government.
"I just think the actions of last week were really reckless. I think it was so inappropriate. We are in the middle of a health pandemic and the Premier of this state has absolutely put us up as the gold example of how we should be managing it. And that's on top of what she did in the bushfires - why would you put that in jeopardy?
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"I think it's just so disrespectful to treat the Premier in that way."
Mrs Williams said she has heard from a number of her National party colleagues and spoken with acting Deputy Premier Paul O'Toole. She said some are understanding of her position, are aware of what has been happening publicly and behind closed doors and respect her decision.
"I never got into politics to play the game. I wanted good things for my community and as a government we've delivered exceptional investment into this area," she said.
"For my community nothing really changes were still in the same government. I still have a seat at the table and will keep fighting for what my community deserves."
Mr Barilaro is now on extended mental health leave. Mrs Williams said she supports his decision to take leave.
Mrs Williams has spoken with the Premier who is supportive of her decision to join the Liberals.
"She has welcomed me to the Liberal Party and I look forward to working with her and all of my other Liberal colleagues as I have always done. I have a good relationship with them and that's why I wasn't prepared to jeopardise that with the actions (the Nationals) chose to take in the last couple of weeks.
"When people elect you to parliament they elect you based on the premise you are going to fight for what they need in their community.
"What they also expect is that you act like a professional. You are a statesmen and they expect you to have characteristics that are aligned with that - professionalism, integrity and respect for other people.
"That's why I couldn't stay aligned to a party that is not prepared to respect other people's views. All of my colleagues stood behind him.
"To have this kind of reckless behaviour condoned is really disturbing. Communities expect better of their representation - my community expects that of me."
Mrs Williams said when she came into politics in 2011, she was mentored by the likes of Jenny Gardner, Duncan Gay and Don Page.
"They were real statesmen they taught me and mentored me and showed me how you should behave as a politician - that this is what people expect of you," Mrs Williams said.
"It worries me we don't have those real statesmen around the table anymore."