NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian insists she is "entirely relaxed" about coalition ministers debating issues they care about as her deputy and environment minister continue to clash.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro has criticised a proposal to reduce freight train emissions and noise pollution while calling for Environment Minister Matt Kean to "be strong enough to push back on his bureaucracy".
Mr Barilaro on Wednesday told 2GB the proposal would restrict trains moving freight and put more trucks on the roads.
He said he was getting worn down by "having to fight internally rather than ... focusing on our communities".
"To me, this is an issue that a member of the Liberal Party is trying to dictate to my constituency that the National Party represents and this is wrong," Mr Barilaro said.
"This has undermined what I believe is the strongest coalition in the nation.
"When a minister of the government is undermining my communities I cannot stand idle because it undermines what we stand for as the junior partner in this coalition."
Mr Barilaro said he didn't dislike Mr Kean but wanted him to be "strong enough" to push back on the bureaucracy.
Mr Kean in a statement said consultation on proposed changes recently closed "and we will be considering all issues raised by stakeholders, including the impact on regional businesses from the drought and bushfires".
"This is about getting the balance right between the economic and operational requirements of industry and the community's expectation to be protected from unreasonable noise and air pollution," Mr Kean said.
"The government has a commitment to increase the share of freight on rail and this proposal will complement that commitment by building on work already undertaken by industry."
Ms Berejiklian on Wednesday said she didn't mind "constructive and robust debate on issues that matter to people".
"I'm entirely relaxed about ministers expressing their views on issues they feel strongly about," she said in Sydney.
"Obviously once we ever make a decision as a government, as a cabinet, we are bound by that.
"But whilst issues are out there for consultation, I'm quite relaxed about people expressing their views."
Australian Associated Press