Gladys Berejiklian resigns: Planning Minister Rob Stokes vies for top job as Premier

Planning Minister Rob Stokes has put his name forward for the position of Premier after Gladys Berejiklian’s shock resignation, saying “he is the best candidate” to lead the NSW government.

Rob Stokes has put his case forward to the public, announcing he will nominate for NSW Liberal Party leader and the next Premier of NSW.

The Planning Minister said he is the best choice to get NSW through the rest of the pandemic.

“The NSW Liberal Party is blessed to have some very talented people in its ranks, who could all bring different qualities to the role of leader,” he said.

“But I believe my track record during my time in public office makes me the best candidate to lead the NSW government.”

Mr Stokes, who is likely to go head-to-head with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet for the top job, said he was providing the NSW Liberal party room with “choice”.

“I also believe the party room should have a choice when selecting its next leader, and I believe I provide that choice,” he said.

“I have the right balance of experience, vision and integrity needed during this crucial time in our history, as we continue to respond to and recover from the pandemic.”

Planning Minister Rob Stokes has nominated for the position of Premier. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short

Mr Stokes said “stable leadership” was more important than ever as he announced his intention to nominate.

“The NSW Coalition is the best team to ensure our recovery succeeds, and I believe I am the best person to lead the government into the critical next election,” he said.

“I have asked my colleagues for their support, and I am grateful many colleagues have encouraged me to nominate for leader.”

“I am blessed to have the support of my family in making this decision and I will continue speaking with my colleagues over the weekend.”

Mr Stokes also used his statement to thank outgoing Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“The people of NSW know that they could not have elected a more hardworking person to lead our state. When bushfires raged and the pandemic worsened, they placed their trust in Gladys – and she delivered.”

Who are the contenders?

They have long been running mates – now Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Planning Minister Rob Stokes are the two frontrunners in the race to become the next premier of NSW.

While Mr Perrottet has long been touted as a likely successor to outgoing Premier Gladys Berejiklian, as of late Friday, Mr Stokes has now put forward his challenge for the top job.

And in his favour is an eleventh-hour switch by the Centre Right faction led by Police Minister David Elliott who is putting his bloc of “up to eight” votes anywhere but the right.

A source close to Mr Perrottet, who is running on a ticket with Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean as his deputy, was confident he would emerge as victor despite the absence of Mr Elliott’s votes although conceded it had become “much tighter”.

As moderate leader, Mr Kean brings a large swath of left votes to the ticket.

However, Mr Stokes will also attract votes from left-wing MPs who want to keep a moderate in the top job.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has been touted as Gladys’ likely successor. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

And as in all leadership races, numbers are fluid with MPs sometimes putting themselves in the columns of both contenders.

Mr Elliott had until recently been in support of Mr Perrottet’s candidacy, until the Treasurer’s right-wing faction began trying to oust Centre Right councillors across metropolitan Sydney – including Hills Shire Council in the police minister’s Baulkham Hills electorate – along with several backbenchers.

As for what the Centre Right will want in return of its votes, a Liberal source said the left would need a “toe-cutter” such as Mr Elliott as a deputy.

“Perrottet can no longer rely on the Centre Right’s votes,” the source said.

“The brutal battle with the hard right in recent months over preselections and party management which has seen a number of councillors threatened means they can no longer rely on us.”

Not all MPs were convinced all Centre Right MPs were united, with one Liberal source suggesting the group was also fluid in who they would support.

Gladys Berejiklian resigned as Premier on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

It is understood Mr Perrottet and Mr Kean want to avoid a messy party room ballot, with talks among MPs expected to continue over the next few days ahead of a party room meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Perrottet, a devout Catholic and father of six who opposed the move to decriminalise abortion, has long been touted as the successor to Ms Berejiklian, although it is not part of any formal agreement as has sometimes been suggested.

However, it is because of a deal hashed out between the left and right factions led Mr Kean and Mr Perrottet respectively that brought about stability under Ms Berejiklian.

A source close to Mr Perrottet said he was keen to continue this stability.

Mr Stokes, a Christian and father of three who is aligned with the left but is not regarded as “factionalised”, had been a leadership aspirant under former premier Mike Baird, missing out to Ms Berejiklian.

Whoever emerges as victor, both Mr Perrottet and Mr Stokes – who used to run together when parliament sat – promise to engage in major reform.

A Perrottet leadership will also trigger a major Cabinet reshuffle, with Mr Kean potentially moving into the role of Treasurer.

A Stokes government will focus on the transformation to a new economy, land use reform and decentralisation.

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