New Liberal leader Kellie Sloane reveals mentorship from rival Labor premier
An ex-premier gave NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane her first job and also backed her preselection efforts — despite being on the rival side of politics. Read who her chief advisers have been.
The woman looking to topple Chris Minns initially ran for parliament with the support of a man the current Labor Premier considers a confidant.
Former Labor premier Morris Iemma is one of Liberal leader Kellie Sloane’s biggest backers, having given her a job at the Miracle Babies charity about 15 years ago.
They may be on different sides of the political aisle, but Mr Iemma encouraged Ms Sloane to run for preselection in Willoughby after Gladys Berejiklian resigned in 2021.
While Ms Sloane is a member of the left – or “moderate” – faction, Liberal MPs say she counts on support from across factional divides.
“Her factional support is broad, but shallow,” one left-faction MP said.
Another Liberal said that because Ms Sloane is “not a product of the party” she is not tied to the same factional allegiances as previous leaders.
An early indication of who Ms Sloane counts on for support could come when she announces her shadow cabinet by year’s end.
Liberal MPs believe she will call up some young, first-term MPs into bigger roles.
Names floated as being in the running for a frontbench position include James Wallace, Jacqui Munro, and potentially Monica Tudehope.
Mr Wallace is among the left-faction powerbrokers considered to be in Ms Sloane’s inner circle. He, along with Liberal frontbencher Chris Rath, was one of three MPs who told former leader Mark Speakman that he risked a leadership challenge, a day before he resigned.
Ms Sloane also has backers from outside her left faction.
Centre-right Kellyville MP Ray Williams was an early supporter of Ms Sloane taking over as leader.
She also counts on support from a range of former premiers and ministers. Former premier Mike Baird was an early backer of Ms Sloane running for parliament, as was former minister Rob Stokes.
Former minister David Elliott, from the centre-right, even declared on election night in 2023 that Ms Sloane should take over as leader.
Centre-right and conservative Liberals identified left-faction powerbroker-turned-lobbyist Michael Photios as having Ms Sloane’s ear.
However, those close to the new Liberal leader say that she would be “lucky” to speak to Mr Photios “once a year”.
In an interview with DTTV, Ms Sloane said that she had a “broad” support base, including outside politics.
“My school mums, who have a WhatsApp chat, they’ve all been so proud and excited about my recent elevation.
“My family (and) people I went to school with, they’re the support base for me, and also broad business contacts that I’ve built up over two big careers before entering parliament.”
Ms Sloane described Mr Iemma as “a bit of a mentor” when she was working at the Miracle Babies charity.
“I’m yet to speak to him since becoming leader,” she said.
“I think I won’t stretch the friendship too much, because I think he’s a much greater mentor to Chris Minns than me, but he’s part of the broad circle of people that I connect with from all sides of politics.”
She is married to public affairs and communications guru Adam Connolly, who was an adviser to prime minister John Howard.
While a savvy political operator in his own right, Ms Sloane said her husband’s greatest support comes from looking after their three teenage boys.
“He’s a very good barbecue chef and cooks a lot of protein.
“Adam, of course, is my closest supporter … we’ve been married for 22 years.
“Before I met Adam, he was an adviser to John Howard, so he’s tapped into how politics works. He’s a former journalist (and) he understands how journalism works, but when I come home, I really try to switch off.
“I don’t want to bring work home … but I do have a good sounding board … if I need it.”
Originally published as New Liberal leader Kellie Sloane reveals mentorship from rival Labor premier
