Gladys Berejiklian resigns: How her final week as premier played out
Rumours of an ICAC public inquiry into the premier’s conduct reached fever pitch this week with MPs moving behind the scenes to determine what to do if she pulled the pin.
NSW
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Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as Premier has been something her colleagues have feared for weeks.
Rumours that the ICAC was set to announce a public inquiry into the premier’s conduct had reached fever pitch this week with MPs already moving behind the scenes to determine what they would do if she pulled the pin.
As soon as the ICAC announced the investigation, her resignation was inevitable.
Berejiklian has insisted publicly and directly to ministers that anyone under investigation by the corruption watchdog could not stay in cabinet.
The timing may have come as a shock to some – coming just as NSW is set to emerge from lockdown.
Berejiklian even took a swipe at ICAC for announcing its investigation during the Covid pandemic.
She also said matters for investigation were “historic” and have already been the subject of “numerous attacks” from Labor.
The tough-as-nails premier appeared to have been crying, but there were no tears during her resignation.
She will fight to clear her name and insists she has acted with the “highest level of integrity”.
Three of Berejiklian’s closest allies watching on the sidelines of the announcement were not as composed, visibly showing their emotion.
One of those ministers – moderate faction leader Matt Kean – will be instrumental in who the next premier is, due to controlling a number of votes in the party room.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is the frontrunner and it has long been rumoured Kean would support Perrottet for the top job.
But some moderate MPs may not want to vote for a conservative.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes is considered by some to be a likely contender for the leadership if the moderates put up their own candidate.
Ministers had been doing the numbers early on Friday morning in a bid to garner support, with some sources suggesting a deal had already been done.
The Premiership is now in the hands of Liberal MPs.
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