Former PM John Howard joins support for Gladys Berejiklian’s bid for Canberra
Liberal luminaries are lining up to support Gladys Berejiklian if she runs for federal politics, but any tilt at Canberra is still unlikely for the former Premier.
NSW
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Former prime minister John Howard has become the latest Liberal luminary to declare support for Gladys Berejiklian making a run for the seat of Warringah.
It came as senior Liberals continued to speculate that the former premier is considering a tilt at federal politics.
Liberal sources on Tuesday said Ms Berejiklian could walk straight on to the frontbench if she won the seat of Warringah.
One senior source even speculated that she may be considered a future leader.
The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it wouldn’t “work very well” between Ms Berejiklian and Prime Minister Scott Morrison if the Coalition won government and the former premier stayed on the backbench.
“Maybe they could give her a cabinet position,” the Liberal said. “Were she to run (for federal politics) this time or next time, she’d be very popularly received (as a potential leader).”
The source said the Moderate faction “probably need some long-term options” for the party leadership.
The Liberal said the switch to Canberra would require a significant step up compared with state politics.
Mr Howard’s support for Ms Berejiklian’s potential candidacy came after Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott called for her to run. “Of course I would support her running if she chose to do so,” Mr Howard said of Ms Berejiklian’s mooted Warringah bid.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said Ms Berejiklian’s future was up to her.
“Gladys Berejiklian was one of the greatest premiers NSW has ever had. I am sure she will be a great success at whatever she chooses to do next and that is her decision,” he said.
The deadline for deciding a candidate for Warringah was extended until January 14 in a move to give Ms Berejiklian more time to consider her political options.
Ms Berejiklian is set to get a sense of whether an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into her actions will result in adverse findings as early as December 20, when counsel assisting the inquiry is due to deliver draft submissions to her lawyers.
Liberals believe that the vast majority of voters would continue to back Ms Berejiklian even if the ICAC delivers an adverse finding against the former premier.
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