Dom Perrottet: Get to know your new Premier

He comes from a family of 12 and has six kids of his own — here’s a list of things you need to get to know new NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.

NSW residents have welcomed their new Premier after the abrupt departure of former leader Gladys Berejiklian.

But who is Dominic Perrottet and what does he stand for?

The Daily Telegraph has compiled a list of what you need to know about the new man in the top job.

Newly elected Premier of NSW Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Getty Images

HE GREW UP IN A BIG FAMILY

The new state leader grew up in a family of 12 kids and was the third eldest.

Mr Perrottet and his siblings grew up in West Pennant Hills and studied at private schools in nearby Dural and Castle Hill.

“I had the privilege of growing up in a large family. I am the third of 12 children. As you may imagine, my mother ran a very tight ship,’’ he said in his maiden parliamentary speech.

“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.”

Dominic Perrottet and his wife Helen. The pair have six kids. Picture: Damian Shaw

HE HAS STUDIED LAW AND COMMERCE

Before his foray into politics, Mr Perrottet studied a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney.

He went on to work as a commercial lawyer for international firm Henry Davis York.

HE HAS SIX KIDS

When it came to his own family, Mr Perrottet and his wife Helen continued the tradition of a big family with six kids of their own.

He has five daughters, Charlotte, Amelia, Annabelle, Harriet and Beatrice, and a son William.

Mr Perrottet said he wants to be a “Family Premier”. Picture: Jenny Evans

POLITICS WAS ALWAYS A PASSION

The new Premier’s passion for politics started young with his parents asking him to present a news item at the family dinner table each night for discussion since the age of 10, the Australian reported.

The early education has serviced him well as at 39, he is the youngest Premier of the state.

HE IS A DEVOUT CATHOLIC

Mr Perrottet is a devout catholic and last year described his faith as: “Part of who I am and inspires me to make a difference wherever I go.”

As a boy, he attended Catholic school Redfield College which has a Opus Dei priest as it’s chaplain but Mr Perrottet is not a member of the order.

The new leader attended independent Catholic school Refield College. Picture: Supplied

HE HAS OPPOSED DECRIMINALISING BOTH ABORTION AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Mr Perrottet has raised eyebrows over his firm opposition to issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.

On abortion, he said: “I cannot in good conscience support a bill which stops the beating heart of an unborn child,” he said. He also opposed same-sex marriage.

HIS ROLE MODELS ARE FROM BOTH SIDES OF POLITICS

NSW’s new Premier may be heading the Liberal party but his role models come from both sides of politics.

Speaking after his election Dominic Perrottet cited former prime ministers Paul Keating and John Howard among the politicians he respects.

“(I’ve learnt from) leaders before and on both sides of politics with John Howard or Paul Keating,” he said.

“I think there are always good people in politics, regardless, whether they’re in the Liberal Party, the Labor Party or the National Party or the Greens.”

Mr Perrottet has sought counsel from Labor’s Mr Keating on major issues including state budgets, stamp duty, and the Future Fund.

He’s also promoted Mr Keating’s recommendation to revitalise the Macquarie Street heritage precinct earlier this year.

Mr Perrottet speaks to Mr Howard regularly and the former Liberal prime minister has been among the new Premier’s most vocal supporters by endorsing him in the leadership race against Planning Minister Rob Stokes.

Also among Mr Perrottet’s political heroes is his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian.

“I’ve been very fortunate to learn from her … During the last five years, I’ve seen her selfless dedication to the people of New South Wales,” he said.

“I’ve never met a more resilient person in my life, and she always, in every decision that she made, had the people of New South Wales at its heart.”