Miranda Live: Why Trump is looking to NSW for inspiration

PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian says leaders of American states — and even President Donald Trump — are looking to NSW to better understand asset recycling and how they can use it to boost cash flow and fuel local infrastructure.

PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian says leaders of American states and even President Donald Trump are looking to NSW to better understand asset recycling and how they can use it to boost cash flow and fuel local infrastructure.

Speaking with columnist Miranda Devine on her online radio show Miranda Live at the tail end of a four-day trade mission to Washington DC, during which she talked up the state’s asset leasing and infrastructure boom, Ms Berejiklian said American leaders had quizzed her on how the NSW government sold the policy to voters.

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“There’s no doubt a lot of the state governors or the governors in America came up to me afterwards, after my comments, and said ‘how did you do it?’ and ‘how did you get through the politics of it?’ and of course I have to credit my predecessors because you know as Liberal premiers we’ve had the guts to say to the community ‘this is going to benefit you’,” she told Devine.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian wave to the crowd during the National Governor Association meeting. Picture: AP

“And I think people are now seeing that — we are building the largest rail project in the nation … we are building the largest road project in NSW, rural and regional NSW will have more than $20 billion dollars invested in infrastructure over the next few years which is unprecedented.

READ MORE: Badgerys Airport operator yet to take off

Even US President Donald Trump was an admirer of the NSW Premier. Picture: AFP

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: AAP

“That economic success is allowing us to drive those social opportunities and that infrastructure which otherwise wouldn’t have happened.”

Transforming Badgerys Creek Airport into Sydney’s “third city” was another key aspect of the trade mission.

“My focus has been on getting investors to get excited, and they already are, on the second Sydney airport precinct,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The last house is demolished in preparation for the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek is demolished. Picture: John Feder / The Australian.

“I’ve spoken to defence companies and logistics freight and IT companies while I’ve been here and they’re all excited about setting up the precinct. We just don’t want to build an airport and the surrounds. We want it to be a new city where the jobs of the future are.”

Global businesses will descend on Sydney in May for the Aerotropolis Investor Forum, hosted by Ms Berejiklian, where they will put forward their ideas on how to build a new city around Badgerys Creek airport.

Tune in from 4pm, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Miranda Live.

If you have a question for any of our guests, drop us a line or follow the conversation on Twitter via the #Mirandalive hashtag.

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