Gladys Berejiklian has refused to rule out preferencing One Nation at the 2019 election

ASKED seven times whether the Coalition would consider a deal with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party as voters prepare to head to the polls in March, Premier Gladys Berejiklian dodged questions by insisting she is focused on her job.

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PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has refused to rule out a preference deal with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party ahead of the 2019 state election.

Asked seven times whether the Coalition would consider a deal as voters prepare to head to the polls in March, Ms Berejiklian dodged questions by insisting she is focused on her job, not the “politics of politics”.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian wouldn’t rule out doing a preference deal with One Nation in the 2019 election. Picture: AAP

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It comes after Opposition Leader Luke Foley immediately ruled out a deal after it was revealed former Labor leader Mark Latham joined One Nation.

“NSW Labor will not do any preference deals with One Nation,” Mr Foley tweeted this morning.

“We will not preference One Nation candidates anywhere in NSW.

“I challenge the Liberals and the Nationals to make the same commitment.”

Asked what she thought of Mr Latham joining the party during a doorstop in Seven Hills, Ms Berejiklian said: “We have a healthy democracy here in NSW but my focus is to lead a strong and stable government, my job is to keep delivering on the ground”.

New NSW One National leader Mark Latham with Pauline Hanson outside 2GB radio studio on Wednesday. Picture: John Grainger

Asked why she wouldn’t rule out a preference deal when Labor had, Ms Berejiklian said: “Well I wouldn’t believe that, that’s what they said last time”.

Asked whether she would rule out a preference deal with One Nation, the Premier said: “ I am focused on doing my job as the Premier”.

“I’m not going to engage in that type of discussion because people, the community, wants me to focus on being a good Premier. I’m focusing on what matters to them and that’s exactly what I’ll continue to do,” she said.

Asked whether she was reluctant to rule out a deal because of the possibility of a minority government with One Nation holding the balance of power, Ms Berejiklian said: “I’m focused on my job — I’m not focused on the politics of politics”.

Asked whether this was her way of telling people that she will do a preference deal with One Nation, Ms Berejiklian said: “What I’m telling you is that I’m focused on leading a strong and stable government … I don’t worry about the politics, I worry about doing my job.”