Sydney radio host Alan Jones has accused NSW Premier Mike Baird of a "deliberate campaign to torpedo" Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the July election over controversial NSW council mergers plans.
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Jones, a vocal critic of the forced council amalgamation plan, used his 2GB program on Thursday to rail against news merged councils will be created across Sydney and NSW as early as this week, pending sign off from the Baird government on Thursday.
The creation of up to 20 larger councils across the state is being accelerated, in part to resolve what could emerge as a political sore for the Coalition ahead the federal election.
Councils that have challenged the mergers in court could be spared from the amalgamation process.
Mr Baird has also scrapped a number of previously announced controversial merger across the state.
"I'm just wondering is the NSW government, the Baird government, on a deliberate campaign to torpedo Malcolm Turnbull," Jones asked.
"This is just chucking a bomb."
Jones said the forced amalgamations were a hand grenade "about to blow up" and the plan was not maintaining local democracy or council services. He dismissed the possibility outgoing Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop could be appointed as a council administrator.
Jones agreed with Save Our Councils campaigners that plans to leave Shoalhaven and Kiama councils as stand-alone were "bizarre", while nearby Wollongong and Shellharbour councils would be merged.
"No prizes for [guessing] which councils are in the marginal federal Liberal seat and which are in a Labor electorate," Jones said.
He accused Mr Baird of "slaughtering local democracy and local communities" and said campaigners opposed to the mergers would not give up without continuing the fight through the federal election campaign. The plan could see NSW Nationals leader Troy Grant lose his leadership, Jones said.
"I find this unbelievable ... Malcolm Turnbull is trying to win an election.
"My understanding is there will be a move within the party to replace Troy Grant as leader, and the call down the Nationals is that Paul Toole, the local government minister, should resign today."
"I honestly cannot believe this. I cannot believe Michael Baird wouldn't say "well I've listened to the community, I've heard the community, I'll put this on hold...". That's what you do," Jones said.
"This is where Malcolm Turnbull has got to get tough and just say simply "are you trying to bury me?" Malcolm Turnbull has got enough on his plate without having to deal with forced amalgamations for god's sake.
"Every vote is critical to Malcolm Turnbull. Barnaby Joyce has said "call the dogs off", he's the deputy prime minister.
NSW cabinet is set to consider the merger plans on Thursday morning, before the plans are put to a meeting of the Coalition party room.
"I'm going to ring Malcolm Turnbull when I get off here and just say... you have to intervene here.... this is costing you votes," Jones said.
"Malcolm Turnbull has got a fight on his hands and he can do without this," Mr Jones said. "This is very unfair to Malcolm Turnbull and is very unfair to the federal government."
Speaking in Victoria on Thursday morning, Mr Turnbull distanced himself from the issue.
"Local government is entirely under the jurisdiction of the state government," Mr Turnbull said.
"Everyone is entitled to express an opinion. I am the Prime Minister of Australia, this is very much a matter for the premier and the government of NSW."
