TikTok, social media deliver verdict on Premier Dominic Perrottet

A social media storm is brewing over Premier Dominic Perrottet with young people criticising his conservative views. Watch the videos.

A social media storm is brewing over the appointment of Dominic Perrottet to NSW’s top job as voters grieve the loss of Gladys Berejiklian.

The new premier has been labelled a “right-wing nutter” on social media as some voters – particularly younger demographics – react to Ms Berejiklian’s resignation.

Thousands of people have taken to Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok to express their discontent about his appointment, while others have applauded Mr Perrottet, saying he is deserving of the job.

On Tik Tok, videos featuring the #dominicperrottet hashtag have received a staggering 800,000 views.

Some social media users have accused Perrottet of having a backwards way of thinking because of his Christian values.

One user compared Perrottet’s appointment to The Handmaid’s Tale, posting a video of her pouring wine and grieving with the caption “Your [sic] a fertile woman in NSW and Dom Perrottet wants to turn NSW into Gilead.”

Parody videos have also emerged on Tik Tok poking fun at his religious views, with one user joking he would blurt out “blessed be the fruit” at his first press conference.

Other posts have focused on his controversial beliefs including his opposition to laws forcing priests to disclose sex abuse and same-sex marriage and support of Donald Trump.

Others have joked about his name, comparing him to the exclusive champagne Dom Perignon.

One user posted an image of a group of athletes running a relay with the caption “NSW people running for their lives rn.”

Some other users have pleaded for Gladys to return with the hashtag #bringgladysback on Instagram attracting thousands of posts.

A parody account of Ms Berejiklian also posted about his appointment on Twitter arguing his conservative views would marginalise some groups.

Congratulations to Dominic Perrottet on becoming the new Premier of NSW.

My condolences to women, homosexuals and pretty much anybody who isn’t a hardcore religious middle aged white man.

— Gladys Berejicklian 💙 (@GladysBParody) October 4, 2021

Congratulations NSW!

You put your watches forward 1 hour, but the calendar goes back 2000 odd years!#auspol#nswpremier

— Narty501 (@Narty0071) October 4, 2021

“He’s a god-bothering, right wing nutter,” said another user.

But Mr Perrottet has hit back at critics, saying that his conservative views will not influence his leadership.

“One of my top leading values is freedom and people should be able to have freedom of choice and ideas and they should be respected for their different views,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

Dominic Perrottet was against same sex marriage. Oh, just a reminder, Julia Gillard, Athiest leftist, voted against same sex marriage when she was PM. An inconvenient fact.

— Catherine (@catherine___c) October 5, 2021

When asked whether he still believed priests should not have to report child abuse to police if it is confessed, he said: “I certainly don’t believe anyone should receive absolution in that manner.”

He also committed to work hard for “every single person of this state.”

Other social media users have applauded Perrottet, with one saying she felt “hopeful” after hearing him speak about the future of NSW.

Others have pointed out that he’s not the only conservative politician in Australia.

Another user said they would “give him the benefit of the doubt,” saying “he deserves a chance.”

“He was my pick to success Berejiklian,” said one.

“I am so relieved you have taken the reigns. Christian and conservative values will save the day,” said another.

SYDNEYSIDERS TELL US WHAT THEY THINK

On the streets in Dominic Perrottet’s Epping electorate, locals were mixed on the news their member had been elevated to NSW’s top office, while further west Stuart Ayres’ promotion to deputy Liberal leader was met with hopes he’d put “western Sydneysiders on the map”.

While younger Epping locals voiced their support for the new Premier, older voters could still remember him being “slotted” into the electorate after previously representing Castle Hill and the Hawkesbury.

“It’s pretty cool to see someone from around here, starting out small then going on to become Premier,” Epping resident Kaishu Yamasaki said.

The 20-year-old business administration student added: “Essentially I’m starting my career here, it’s nice to see I could get to his point or even bigger than him”.

20-year-old student Kaishu Yamasaki said it was inspiring to see a Premier from their local electorate.

Fellow local Judith van der Eyk hoped their local MP’s new role would bring more investment to the area, while also saying she was looking forward to him sitting in on the Covid crisis cabinet with other national leaders.

“It’s great we have a local MP who’ll be in national cabinet,” Judith, 23, said.

Other locals, however, come with long-term memories, and aren’t fond that the MP was parachuted into their electorate after previously representing Castle Hill and the Hawkesbury.

“I’m not voting for him – I don’t know who the hell he is,” West Epping resident Kerri McDonald said.

“He came in as an unknown and they slotted him into Epping.

“On a better side, I did listen to his conference today and he sounded quite sound.”

Twenty kilometres west of Epping, in the western Sydney heartland of Blacktown, locals were hopeful the promotion of Penrith MP Stuart Ayres to deputy Liberal leader would “put western Sydneysiders on the map”.

Lincoln Gurung, 42, from Blacktown said he is “definitely happy” to see Ayres elected as Deputy but hopes he doesn’t forget about the west.

“Someone representing this side of Sydney at least puts Western Sydney on the map,” Mr Gurung said.

“We hope he doesn’t forget where he is from and maintains his responsibilities for the people.”

Mr Gurung also said newly-minted Premier Perrottet “has big shoes to fill” since Gladys Berijiklian’s shock resignation.

“I really thought Gladys would be the one to lead us out of the lockdown so it’s a shock to see a new Premier at this time,” he said.

“He (Perrottet) is young and I’m not sure how much he will handle the position with not as much experience as others but I think he is strong and seems very passionate too.”

Blacktown’s Lincoln Gurung said he hopes Stuart Ayres will put “western Sydneysiders on the map”.

Blacktown Council worker Aravindha Thannadi also thinks the election of Mr Ayres as Perrottet’s deputy “will be good for Western Sydney people.”

“Being from Western Sydney he will know the local area and hopefully will keep our local communities in mind,” Mrs Thannadi said.

“I was also very devastated to see Gladys resign, I hope the new Premier and Deputy can carry on with the hard work they’ve all been doing with Covid.”

Blacktown Council worker Aravindha Thammadi says Stuart Ayres’ promotion “will be good for Western Sydney people”.

“I didn’t even know who the Premier and Deputy Premier was before the pandemic so it’s definitely opened my eyes to how important a good leader is and how their decisions really impact you.”

Blacktown local Levi Sinclair said he hopes Mr Ayres “can help bring his community and NSW back together to fight Covid.”

“Hopefully he is up for the job and can deal with everything that’s going on at the moment,” Mr Sinclair said.

“I don’t know much about it all but I think since Covid the younger people definitely know more about politics and what our leaders are all about.”

That leadership is something Epping primary school teacher Nicholas Watts hopes the new Premier and his party deputy can bring to the fore by tackling a number of issues impacting young people.

“Home affordability is definitely one, more use of renewable energy and action on climate change,” he nominated as issues he’d like to see the Premier pursue.