By Sean Nicholls
Fresh from being sworn in as Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals leader, John Barilaro has come under attack from the opposition over political donations made by his wife, Deanna, a director of a property company.
Property development companies, their directors and close associates have been prohibited from donating to NSW election campaigns since 2010.
Election funding records show that, since 2013, Ms Barilaro has donated more than $8000 to the NSW Nationals.
They reveal Ms Barilaro declared $1960 in donations in 2013-14 via raffles, auctions and dinners.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro referred questions to the Department of Industry.Credit: Janie Barrett
In August 2015, she donated $3850 to the NSW Nationals via a raffle. In June 2015, Ms Barilaro donated $3000 to the NSW Nationals at a conference.
Company filings show Ms Barilaro is a director of two companies, Kotsobola Group and Euro Partners.
In his 2015 and 2016 pecuniary interest declaration, Mr Barilaro describes the companies, of which he was a director until 2012, as "property investment/development". Mr Barilaro's wife remains a director.
Asked in question time on Wednesday by Deputy Opposition Leader Michael Daley if the companies were property development businesses, Mr Barilaro responded that such questions were a matter for the NSW Nationals.
However, in a statement, the NSW Nationals said: "Prior to the 2015 election the NSW Nationals made a determination that Mr Barilaro and his wife Deanna were not considered property developers under the Expenditure and Disclosures Act.
"Under NSW law the onus is on political parties to determine whether a donor is a prohibited donor. We have reviewed that determination again today and we stand by our assessment."
On Tuesday, Mr Barilaro was elected unopposed after the resignation as leader of Police and Justice Minister Troy Grant following a record 34 per cent primary vote swing against the Nationals in the Orange byelection.
Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair was elected deputy leader over Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser after Education Minister Adrian Piccoli did not recontest.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party remains 78 votes ahead of Nationals candidate Scott Barrett in the two candidate preferred count.
The NSW election commission expects a result to be declared by 5pm on Thursday.