Gladys Berejiklian still considering run for Warringah, with support from Scott Morrison

The Prime Minister has sent Gladys Berejiklian a strong public message as she weighs up her next career move.

Senior federal government members, including the Prime Minister, say they would “love” to see former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian run in the upcoming election despite corruption allegations levelled against her.

With the door still open for Ms Berejiklian to run for the Sydney seat of Warringah after nominations for preselection were extended until January 14, Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind any federal politics bid from the former premier.

Ms Berejiklian resigned from NSW politics in October after the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption launched an investigation into whether she breached public trust or encouraged corrupt conduct during her secret relationship with disgraced former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

Mr Morrison has advocated for Ms Berejiklian to run for federal politics, regularly stating she has been “done over” by the ICAC.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian is still weighing up whether she will run for the federal seat of Warringah in the next election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

He reinforced his position in Sydney on Monday, where he said Ms Berejiklian had been the victim of a “pile on”, and that wish to join the team, she would be “very welcome”.

“She is a person of great integrity,” Mr Morrison said.

“If she wants to have a crack at Warringah for the Liberal Party, I suspect that the people would welcome that in Warringah.”

Mr Morrison said Ms Berejiklian had not been “found” guilty of anything, but failed to acknowledge that ICAC’s findings are yet to be handed down.

“There is no suggestion of criminal conduct... I don’t call (the ICAC process) justice,” Mr Morrison said.

It’s understood senior Liberal figures believe Ms Berejiklian is the only chance the party has of winning the seat, which once belonged to former prime minister Tony Abbott, from independent Zali Steggall.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham told the ABC on Monday morning that he would support Ms Berejiklian should she decide to nominate.

“I would love to see Gladys do so, but that is entirely up to her,” Senator Birmingham said.

“She has been a friend of mine for many decades and I think she has immense talent.”

When asked whether he believed there was an integrity-sized question mark over her head, Mr Birmingham said Ms Berejiklian was a person of “great integrity”.

“Gladys has shown exceptional leadership in public office and an ability to make tough and difficult decisions when required,” he said.

“I realise the issues that she’s handling at present. We’ll keep working through. If she has other decisions to make about her future, I’m sure that she’ll make them when she’s ready.”

Ms Berejiklian would nominate to run for the seat of Warringah that the Liberals lost to independent MP Zali Steggall in 2019. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Environment Minister Sussan Ley has also thrown her support behind Ms Berejiklian should she decide to run.

“She’s an outstanding female representative, but she has also been a model Premier,” she told ABC News Breakfast.

“I know that we’d love to see her in federal parliament.

“From the people that I represent, they were horrified that this public shaming seemed to be happening on the television screens each day.

“A lot of people reached out to me directly to actually say – why is this happening to our Premier who has done so much for us? They were really quite angry on her behalf.

“I think that she would be an outstanding representative.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been an outspoken supporter of Ms Berejiklian following her resignation from state politics. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Liberal Party federal vice-president Teena McQueen told 2GB’s Ben Fordham that in politics “anything is possible”.

“I think it’s probably a bit difficult before a judgment is handed down, we must be respectful of ICAC … but we keep all options open,” Ms McQueen said.

“We do need to pick up every seat.”

The Prime Minister said a promised federal anti-corruption commission would be different to the NSW version.

Senator Birmingham said it was “pretty sad” that the NSW ICAC had “destroyed” reputations.

“The model for a commonwealth integrity commission absolutely has the power to tackle criminal corruption and to address serious issues, but (it) doesn’t go and destroy reputations first and then look at the details later,” he said.

Originally published as Gladys Berejiklian still considering run for Warringah, with support from Scott Morrison