NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, wife Helen, welcome seventh child

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his wife Helen have welcomed their seventh child – a baby girl – into the world.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his wife Helen have welcomed their seventh child – a baby girl – into the world.

Mr Perrottet confirmed the happy news this morning, posting a picture of the couple alongside the baby girl, and sharing her name: Celeste Grace Perrottet.

“Helen and I are absolutely thrilled … Both mum and baby are doing well,” he wrote.

“She’s looking forward to being kissed and cuddled, fought over and cherished by her big brother and sisters. Special thanks to the incredible midwives who were with us every step of the way.”

The pair couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces in the photo, which was posted from Ms Perrottet’s hospital bed.

1/2 Here she is! Helen and I are absolutely thrilled to welcome our beautiful baby girl, Celeste Grace Perrottet, born last night.

Both Mum and baby are doing well. pic.twitter.com/En4LjGL5uf

— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) March 16, 2022

In a statement this afternoon, Mr Perrottet said he would be “taking leave to spend time with Helen and the kids as we all adjust to welcoming a new child to our family”.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole will assume the role of Acting Premier until he returns on Monday, April 4.

“I will be seeking a Pair from the Opposition for the parliamentay sitting period commencing 22 March and concluding 31 March,” Mr Perrottet added.

“Given the current flood emergency I will continue to receive briefings on the response and recovery work and remain ready to return to official duties immediately should the need arise.”

The Premier – who, at 39, became NSW’s youngest ever after replacing Gladys Berejiklian last year – first announced the couple were expecting another addition to their family in October.

“Exciting family news,” Mr Perrottet wrote, weeks after his appointment to the top position.

“Our family photo wall is going to need another frame! Helen and I are thrilled to announce we have a little girl due next year.

“With five sisters already, William is looking on the bright side – more bench depth on the family basketball team.”

Mr Perrottet announced the couple were expecting their seventh child in October last year. Picture: Facebook

The NSW Premier seen with his family at Government House in Sydney after the swearing-in ceremony for the new Ministers and their families. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Mr Perrottet, a devout Catholic, comes from a large family, growing up in Sydney’s West Pennant Hills as the third of 12 children (a 13th died of a congenital abnormality at birth).

Mr Perrottet’s parents, John, who works at the World Bank developing tourism projects, and Anne, a primary school teacher, “didn’t go into married life with a plan to have a dozen kids”, John told The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend in 2019.

“Dominic is the third eldest and was a boisterous child. His brain really goes at a thousand miles an hour,” he added.

“When he was three or four, it would go so fast his mouth really couldn’t keep up. You had to calm him down a bit but that’s because he’s got a very fertile mind.”

Mr Perrottet has repeatedly spoken of the “privilege of growing up in a large family”, paying tribute when he entered Parliament a decade ago to his own mother in his maiden speech.

“As you may imagine, my mother ran a very tight ship,” he said.

“But with so many of us around, she realised very quickly she could not get everything done by herself. I polished 12 pairs of shoes in summer. I packed 12 lunches in autumn. I changed 1200 nappies in winter and then changed them again in spring.”

The Premier somewhat followed in his parent’s footsteps – he and his wife have six children: five daughters, Charlotte, Amelia, Annabelle, Harriet and Beatrice; and a son, William.

“What I learnt from Dad is that time is precious when you’re at home. It’s challenging to balance work and family life and make sure that when you’re home, you’re home, not somewhere else,” Mr Perrottet told Good Weekend.

“It’s something he’s instilled in me: you get your happiness and joy in life from your family.”

The couple with two of their daughters, Beatrice and Harriet. Picture: David Swift

Mr Perrottet was asked last year whether he could manage being the NSW Premier and juggling six children.

“You said you were going to be the first Premier for families. If you were a female leader, you would be asked how you can manage being Premier and also the parent of six children, so I think it is fair to ask you that today,” the reporter said.

“What do you think?”

The newly appointed Liberal leader confessed it would be “demanding” and balancing work and family life is challenging for every person across the state.

“I think what I might lose in time, I gain in perspective. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and I am no different to that, but one thing I do know is that I have a very strong team around me,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I have a strong family and I have a strong ministerial team who will ensure that our focus is on the people of NSW.

“Yes I have family commitments, but that should not disqualify one from the job.”

Originally published as NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, wife Helen, welcome seventh child