The first crack in the veneer of federal-state amity came when Kiama MP Gareth Ward called on his federal counterparts to stump some money towards the ongoing upgrades to the Princes Highway. This prompted a slapdown from federal Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis, who accused Mr Ward of being “irresponsible and incorrect”. The hiss of recrimination rippled through the local Liberal Party.

Then came Medicare. The proposed changes were attacked by South Coast MP Shelley Hancock, who said the communication from Canberra over the proposed changes had been lacking and there had been no consultation with the state government.

On Wednesday, Mrs Sudmalis defended the changes, saying they would be good for health. She copped intense criticism on social media, so much so one local Facebook group took down a thread. On Wednesday night Mr Ward followed up Mrs Hancock’s anger, firing off a letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott calling for the changes to be dumped. 

Then on Thursday, Mrs Sudmalis applauded the government’s decision to shelve at least one of the proposed changes.

As an election looms in NSW, it appears the state government wants to distance itself as much as possible from the highly unpopular policies of its federal counterpart. 

They might wear the same badge but the state and federal Coalition governments seem to be drifting apart, which will make for an interesting campaign ahead.