Dominic Perrottet’s push to fulfil ambition of becoming NSW Premier

Dominic Perrottet has promised to shake up the NSW Cabinet as the Treasurer battles to claim the title of Premier following an endorsement from former PM John Howard.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has promised to inject new blood into the NSW Cabinet should he fulfil his long-held ambition to become the state’s next premier.

However, a wide-ranging shuffle will be tempered by party elders remaining in senior positions in order to promote stability.

Mr Perrottet on Saturday night looked set to claim the leadership after an intervention by former prime minister John Howard.

Mr Perrottet, who is running with moderate powerbroker Matt Kean as his deputy, was being challenged by Planning Minister Rob Stokes who was counting on votes from Police Minister David Elliott’s centre right faction along with those from the splintered left to get over the line at Tuesday’s party room ballot.

After Mr Howard came out in support of Mr Perrottet on Saturday afternoon, several of the centre right MPs switched their support to the right-wing candidate.

Sources close to Mr Perrottet said Mr Elliott, whose faction had been brawling with the right over preselections, was also now behind the Treasurer and Mr Kean.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet with his daughters Charlotte 12, Amelia, 10, and Annabelle 7. Picture: Tim Hunter

It is understood Mr Perrottet and Mr Kean, who is tipped to get the Treasury portfolio, will likely keep him in the police portfolio.

Working against Mr Stokes on Saturday was a split in the left, with Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres, who while not formally declaring on Saturday, was busy doing his own numbers, while Transport Minister Andrew Constance was also not ruling himself out as a contender.

On Saturday night, left sources also claimed Attorney-General Mark Speakman — who is also close to former PM John Howard — was planning to nominate on Sunday.

The move risks further splintering the vote. Mr Stokes made his pitch to the public on Saturday, declaring he was the best choice to get NSW through the rest of the pandemic.

“I believe my track record during my time in public office makes me the best candidate to lead the NSW Government,” he said, adding he was providing the NSW Liberal party room with “choice”.

“I have the right balance of experience, vision and integrity needed during this crucial time in our history, as we continue to respond to and recover from the pandemic.”

A left source said it was it was likely Mr Stokes might reconsider running should he not receive Mr Elliott’s centre right votes.

Among the concerns some of the left had of Mr Perrottet as leader are not getting a conscience vote on the proposed voluntary assisted dying bill.

However, supporters of Mr Perrottet and Mr Kean have assured MPs they will be able to conscience, or free vote.

Mr Perrottet has long harboured leadership ambitions.

When asked previously if he would ever challenge Gladys Berejiklian for the job, he has replied: “I’m in no rush.”

Despite being a staunch Liberal, the father of six, who voted against decriminalisation of abortion, is an avid fan of former Labor prime minister Paul Keating, occasionally rolling out the odd Keating line in his speeches to see if anyone notices.

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