Miranda Live: Premier Gladys Berejiklian ‘disappointed’ in train union’s text poll

PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has told The Daily Telegraph’s Miranda Devine on Miranda Live — our internet radio and on-demand podcast show — she was “disappointed” in the union poll of members during train strike negotiations.

Tune in to hear Premier Gladys Berejiklian

PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has disclosed that she told Rail Tram and Bus Union leader Alex Claassens she was disappointed in the way he consulted members during rail strike negotiations last week.

Mr Claassens’ use of a text poll, in which less than 6 per cent of members responded “yes” before he proceeded with strike action, was widely criticised.

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In MirandaLive this afternoon, Ms Berejiklian said she was frank with him about his failure to adequately consult with his members.

“I told him that I was disappointed in the way he contacted members,” she said.

“We had frank discussions that morning. I’ve never been backwards in telling people what I think.”

She said she was confident talks between the train driver union and transport authorities were currently progressing well.

“I’m confident all parties are negotiating well”.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian talking live with Miranda Devine. Picture: Brett Costello

Ms Berejiklian said she was determined to do all she could to keep Sydney moving.

On other topics, Ms Berejiklian also stated her satisfaction with how her ministerial team was performing and refused to be drawn on the possibility of a reshuffle.

Asked if her Energy Minister Don Harwin was the right person for his job because of previous anti-coal comments, Ms Berejiklian said she had confidence in all of her colleagues.

“Issues such as this affect the entire cabinet,” she said.

“I want to assure your listeners not only does each minister step up and take responsibility, as a cabinet we deal with all these issues.”

Ms Berejiklian said she thought Transport Minister Andrew Constance was doing a good job despite the ferry naming saga, saying he was “hardworking” and “dedicated”.

When asked about housing affordability, she said her team had overseen three times as many first home buyers getting into the market under her stamp duty relief scheme.

“It is one of the things I am most pleased about,” she said.

Ms Berejiklian said her government was also focused on increasing housing supply, but balancing it with residents’ objections to overdevelopment in their local areas.

The premier also argued for a “modernisation of the federation” in which states which were doing well in their economic management would get more autonomy.

Miranda also talked to Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg about energy prices and issues in the podcast.

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Yesterday, indigenous Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Price told Miranda Live that Greens leader Richard Di Natale is “fuelling the hate” against indigenous people in his push to change the Australia Day date.

Jacinta Price has spoken out about the repercussions of voicing a difference of opinion about Australia Day

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