NSW state election 2023: Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns face off in first televised debate

Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns faced off in their first televised debate of the election, with both men asked about one burning issue.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Opposition Leader Chris Minns have faced off in their first televised debate less than three weeks before the state election. 

While the leaders clashed on policies around education, tolls, and financial management, Mr Perrottet admitted his party could “do better” when it came to increasing female representation in the government.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and NSW Labor leader Chris Minns went head-to-head in a televised debate at Channel 7 Studios in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Asked multiple times by Channel 7’s state political reporter Amelia Brace, the Premier was unable to answer what percentage of Liberal candidates were female; however, he believed there were more female candidates at this election than in 2019.

“They (nominations) closed at midday today, so I don’t know,” he said.

Mr Perrottet said he had female ministers in “important positions” like Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell and Roads Minister Natalie Ward.

“These are ministers who are women with a strong track record of delivering in portfolios,” he said.

“There are always areas where we can do better and I accept that.

“My expectation moving forward is we continue to attract the best and brightest people in more diverse backgrounds into the parliament.”

Nationals member Sarah Mitchell is the Minister for Education and Early Learning. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Tim Hunter

Liberal member Natalie Ward holds the portfolios for Roads, Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Simon Bullard

In comparison, 46 per cent of Labor’s candidates are women, with women also making up 46 per cent of Labor’s shadow cabinet.

Mr Minns said it “should just be expected across the political spectrum”. 

“We’re not celebrating that, it should just be the normal if you’re running to be elected in NSW in the year 2023,” he said.

When asked whether he believed it would negatively affect the government’s chances at polling day, Mr Minns declined to comment.

“I don’t want to make any predictions about how people will vote on March 25,” he said.

Mr Perrottet also confirmed his re-elected government would not reduce the size of his cabinet.

Mr Minns confirmed an promise that pay for politicians would be frozen for the next two years.

The pair were not surprisingly at odds over which side was better equipped to lead NSW.

The Premier criticised Labor for not having enough experience, with only one member having formerly been a minister, and backed his side as an “incredibly strong and energetic team”.

Mr Minns maintained he had a united team that hadn’t been “beset by infighting virtually every single week”.

“Many people on the government’s team (not the Premier, who I’ve got a lot of regard for) can’t stand to be in the same room with each other,” he said.

Originally published as NSW state election 2023: Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns face off in first televised debate