Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian rules out federal politics run

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has addressed speculation she will run for the seat of Warringah at the federal election.

Gladys Berejiklian has ruled out running for the seat of Warringah at next year’s federal election, saying she is “quitting public life.”

The former NSW premier told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday she “will not be contesting the seat of Warringah, or any other seat for that matter”.

Ms Berejiklian said she thought about running for federal politics for a “very short period of time” when contacted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison but wants to go in a different direction.

Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed she will not run for a federal seat. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

She said a tilt at federal politics is off the cards for a “very long time”.

“My time in public life comes to an end on December 30,” she said, foreshadowing her official resignation as an MP.

The former premier said she was “grateful” for Mr Morrison‘s offer of a federal seat but only ever entertained the idea “out of respect” for her federal Liberal colleagues.

“I‘m really grateful to the PM and so many other colleagues who really asked me to consider … I gave it some thought but decided against it, it’s not something that I want to do,” she said.

Gladys Berejiklian will pursue a role in the private sector instead, she has said. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“They urged me to give it consideration I promised them I would and I did for a very short period of time and then obviously let them know … the PM and the other colleagues that urged me to run were extremely understanding and very, very patient and obviously accepted it.”

She added: “It‘s just a different direction I want my life to take.”

Ms Berejiklian said she had been enjoying catching up with friends and family, wrapping up her parliamentary duties at the end of the month.

But she remained tight-lipped on where her next move would take her, hitting back at suggestions she had already found a new job – and that it was time to take a break first.

“I‘m really looking forward to the next chapter. It won’t be in public life. It’ll be in the private sector and I’m really looking forward to what that brings,” she said.

Mr Morrison also weighed in on Ms Berejiklian‘s decision, calling her a “dear friend”, thanking her for her tenure as premier and wishing her well at a press conference on Friday morning.

“She’s made a decision to go forward into a new chapter of her life, and Jenny and I wish her all the very best … Gladys has been a great friend, ” the PM said.

“Gladys has blazed a trail for women in the Liberal party … so many of the great professional women coming forward, standing up as part of the team have been inspired by Gladys‘ achievements.”

He added: “She’s been a trailblazer, she’s off to blaze a new trail, and we wish her all the very best for her future.”