Dominic Perrottet and Rob Stokes make their pitches to be the new Premier

Readers of The Daily Telegraph hear directly from Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Planning Minister Rob Stokes - the men in contention to be our new Premier.

Readers of The Daily Telegraph hear directly from Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Planning Minister Rob Stokes - the men in contention to be our new Premier.

PERROTTET’S PROMISE: A TIME FOR UNITY

It’s hard to think of a worse time to lose a premier, especially a premier of Gladys Berejiklian’s calibre.

The outpouring of support for her over the past few days reflects the love and appreciation of the people of NSW for a premier who gave NSW everything – literally everything – she had.

For almost five years I have had the privilege of serving alongside Gladys as her deputy and Treasurer and part of the leadership team through drought, bushfires, floods, and now a pandemic, and building a better future for the people of our state.

We have come so far, but the task ahead remains enormous – and urgent. A pandemic doesn’t stop for politics.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet says the task ahead is urgent. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Our government must remain razor-focused on safely reopening our state, getting people back to work, kids back into school, businesses open, and all of us back to the way of life we love. We can only do that if we remain united, and maintain stability and continuity for the people of our state.

That is why, after careful reflection and at the encouragement of family, friends and colleagues, I am asking for my colleagues’ support to lead the government with Stuart Ayres as deputy.

As Gladys demonstrated so well, leading a successful Liberal and National government requires unity across our party’s “broad church”.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes together. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Stuart and I can deliver that unity, as well as the experience and energy to get families, workers and businesses back on the path to a safe, strong recovery.

My mantra as Treasurer during the pandemic has been keeping people in jobs and businesses in business, and securing a strong recovery. But my motivation for serving in government can be summed up in three themes – your ­family, your future and your quality of life.

At heart, I’m a fighter, and my job has taken me to every corner of NSW to fight for our party’s vision and values.

There would be no greater honour than to keep up that fight, with your family, your future and your quality of life at the centre of our government’s efforts.

I HAVE EXPERIENCE AND INTEGRITY: STOKES

Next Monday, we will start our recovery.

Friends and families across NSW are busy making plans to reunite. I’m excited that people will be able to connect with one another again, because as humans, that’s what we are wired to do.

Many people who have been unable to, will return to work and businesses will ­recommence trading. I’ll be first in line for a haircut.

The NSW government has been the best in the country for the past decade. I know from my time as education minister, the importance of successfully managing the economy, ­because that means you can invest a record amount of money in teachers and classrooms to ensure our state continues to prosper.

I know from my time as planning minister, that the ­decisions government makes have the chance to improve lives – by providing the homes, transport, parks and playgrounds that make living here all that it is.

How you make decisions and lead is important. I believe experience and integrity will be crucial for whoever becomes the next Premier. That’s why I have put my hand up.

Who you vote for in elections really matters. NSW has been booming for a decade because of the decisions our government has made. I also believe I am the NSW government’s best chance of winning the next election. I owe it to those who want to continue the Liberal and National vision for NSW to be a candidate for my colleagues to choose from.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes says the decisions governments make impact people’s lives. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

We have seen too much division across our state and ­nation over the past two years. While there’s great uncertainty ahead, there’s also great opportunity. Our state is in the midst of the most significant social and economic transformation since World War II.

If I am chosen as Premier of NSW, I will be guided by my experience and by the lessons of the past. But I won’t hesitate to implement the big ideas we need to ensure a better future.

Rob Stokes is the Member for Pittwater and NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister