Notably, this was on the same day a protest was being staged in front of Mrs Sudmalis electorate office in Berry Street, Nowra. 

In correspondence obtained by the Register, Mr Ward wrote to the principals of local high schools to state his position on the Gonski needs-based funding agreement that is now under a cloud following comments by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that implied Canberra might walk away from funding public education.

“Having grown up as a student with a disability, I know how important the Gonski reforms are to give every student the best start in life,” Mr Ward, who is legally blind, wrote.

Perhaps more tellingly, he added: “As one of the State MPs who stood up in our party room and pushed for NSW to sign-up to the Gonski agreement, I know our community wants people in parliament who stand up for our community and stand up for a stronger public education system in our state.”

In his letter Mr Ward said the NSW government had signed an agreement with the federal government and he wanted to see that agreement honoured. 

“As your local MP, I will continue to be an advocate for education funding and the Gonski model.”

So, in the space of a week we have seen politicians from the same party but different levels of government in open conflict. The common theme has been standing up for the community. Mrs Sudmalis has defended her position on the council merger and won rare praise from local Labor figure Bob Proudfoot. Mr Ward will doubtless be applauded for fighting for education funding. 

The difference between their stances is that one MP is speaking about education, over which his level of government has jurisdiction, while the other is speaking about an issue over which she has no control. 

They might wear the same badges but it seems there is a growing gulf between the state Liberal MPs and their federal counterpart in Gilmore.