Gladys Berejiklian orders MPs to dine together more often to promote unity

EXCLUSIVE: GLADYS Berejiklian has ordered her MPs to dine together more often as part of an apparent move to quell disunity within the party.

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PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has ordered her MPs to dine together more often as part of an apparent move to quell disunity within the party.

Multiple Liberal sources have confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that during a recent party room meeting, Ms Berejiklian encouraged her MPs to spend more time together in the dining hall on sitting days.

But it may take quite a few bread-breaking sessions before the team properly gels, with one MP remarking: “If she’s going to start getting us to eat together, they’ll have to make sure the cutlery’s plastic.”

There has been dissatisfaction among certain sections of the ranks following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, which required Ms Berejiklian to perform a careful factional juggling act. It appears she hopes her ministers and backbench spending more time together will soothe whatever bruises remain from the leadership change.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and new ministers at their swearing-in ceremony at Government House last month.

But there has already been turbulence since Ms Berejiklian issued the dinner edict, with former parliamentary secretary Catherine Cusack resigning from the role after a scathing late-night email she sent to the Premier after a get-together of Moderate faction MPs. In her blunt missive, Ms Cusack threatened to join the crossbench if Ms Berejiklian continued to insist her Cabinet picks were based “on merit”.

A large collection of MPs ate together during a recent sitting, with one Liberal MP noting there was a “big turnout” and that they saw a number of people sharing a meal who wouldn’t normally.

“I think when there’s a change of leadership there’s always some discontent — some people get overlooked and you need to calm the storm,” the MP said. “She’s probably also trying to say to her ministers, ‘You’ve got to spend more time with your backbench’.” Another MP said they thought the Premier’s request was “a good thing”.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian is looking to promote unity within her party ranks.

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Tuesday nights tend to be later sitting nights during parliamentary weeks, and it is these occasions that the Premier is said to want everyone to make an effort to sit together.

Sources said Ms Berejiklian has also made a noticeable effort to encourage her MPs to speak up in the party room.

One MP said the dinner move could benefit those currently feeling isolated.