Former PM John Howard revealed as NSW Lib Party’s ‘secret weapon’

Former Prime Minister John Howard has emerged as a secret weapon in the upcoming state election campaign as Premier Gladys Berejiklian attempts to secure her Coalition its third term in government.

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Former Prime Minister John Howard has emerged as a secret weapon in the upcoming state election as NSW Liberals prepare to launch a “rock star” campaign that puts Premier Gladys Berejiklian dead centre of their hopes for re-election.

Mr Howard, Australia’s second-longest serving prime minister, has become “a mentor” to Ms Berejiklian, who also lives in his electorate, and has been advising the party on campaign strategy.

He is part of a re-election advisory team that also includes former premier and Federal Liberal president Nick Greiner and NSW Liberal Party Campaign Director Chris Stone.

At the same time, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has chosen to “keep a respectful distance” to avoid a repeat of the disastrous Victorian election result, a Liberal source said.

Former Prime Minister John Howard is “mentoring” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and is advising the party on campaign strategy. Picture: Britta Campion

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Mr Howard has remained close to Mr Stone, who worked for him in government. Along with Mr Greiner the trio regularly speak with Ms Berejiklian, and Mr Howard often meets her to discuss political issues.

The source said: “He is in regular contact with Chris Stone in the lead up to the campaign and he has also become somewhat of a mentor to Gladys Berejiklian.”

With Canberra having trashed the Liberal Party brand, the NSW party is preparing a campaign focusing almost entirely on Ms Berejiklian in a presidential-style roadshow across the State.

“Gladys has been out there already, but things will definitely step up from today,” a senior Liberal source said yesterday. “While her team will be out and about, Gladys will be the rock star.

“It is going to be the Gladys roadshow. She is better than Baird on the ground. She is so good with people.

Former NSW Premier Nick Greiner is also in regular contact with Ms Berejiklian.

NSW Liberal Party Campaign Director Chris Stone with Ms Berejiklian.

“That’s why the focus will be on Gladys.”

The “Gladys and the NSW Liberals” tour will be supported on the road by Education Minister Rob Stokes, Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Transport Minister Andrew Constance, while Treasurer Dominic Perrottet will be based in Sydney.

With the Australia Day weekend marking the unofficial end of the summer holiday season, the Coalition is effectively launching the start of its campaign, with 4.30am starts and a candidate “boot” camp planned for February 3.

Social media users will also be hit with an onslaught of digital campaign advertising as the party invests heavily within the platform to secure maximum audience reach.

Cost of living is dominating voter concerns, so announcements will focus on measures that “ease the pressure on families”, create jobs and improve health and education, rather than the big ticket infrastructure pledges of previous campaigns.

Ms Berejiklian campaigning with MP Adam Crouch at Erina Fair on January 11, Picture: Facebook

Ms Berejiklian visits Winston Hills with MP Mark Taylor on January 21. Picture: Facebook

The government will head into the March 23 poll with $89 billion of infrastructure locked in, but will be counting on construction-weary voters to overlook the associated budget blowouts, delays, roadworks and congestion.

The state Liberals haven’t secured a third term since the Askin government lost office in 1975. Nor have voters been so fatigued after multiple State and federal by-elections following the dumping of prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Focus group research conducted late last year confirmed the Liberals had an “image problem”, while Ms Berejiklian blamed Canberra for the Wagga Wagga by-election loss.

“There is no doubt that Canberra is a problem,” a senior Liberal source said. “Our job is to show people that we have our own team, which is strong and united and getting things done.

“The State is in a better place than it was eight years ago. The end product is not there yet, but it’s not far off.”

The Demello family and their News Years Day baby Jaleesa get a visit from the Premier on January 1. Picture: Facebook

Ms Berejiklian and Kerri-Anne Kennerley photographed together at the annual Australia Day Lunch on January 18. Picture: Facebook

Mr Stone, who went to school with Ms Berejiklian, said the campaign team represented the “average Australian working family”.

“The majority of our talented campaign team are women and men in their 30s and 40s with young families, like myself,” he said.

“Our job at Liberal headquarters is to highlight the risk of Labor while effectively communicating our plans to build a stronger NSW and take the pressure off families.

“I couldn’t be more proud to run this campaign surrounded by a terrific and dynamic team with Gladys at the helm.”

While the Liberal Party is facing battles in East Hills, Riverstone and Coogee, the election will be won or lost in the bush.

Ms Berejiklian visiting Glenmore Park with MP Tanya Davies on January 10. Picture: Facebook

Ms Berejiklian visits Parramatta with MPs Troy Grant and Geoff Lee on January 22. Picture: Facebook

Regional seats in danger include Barwon, Lismore, Upper Hunter, Goulburn, Tweed and Monaro, the seat of Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

Complicating matters is the threat posed by the Shooters, Fishers And Farmersm, and One Nation, which are targeting disgruntled Nationals voters, including those who believe the party has swung too far to the left.

To offset potential losses, the Coalition is taking aim at the Labor-held seats of Port Stephens, Granville and The Entrance, and also Ballina held by The Greens.