Gladys Berejiklian: Scott Morrison ‘suspects’ former premier won’t pursue Warringah
Gladys Berejiklian will likely refuse an offer to run for federal despite Scott Morrison’s encouragement, according to the PM himself.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Scott Morrison has watered down suggestions Gladys Berejiklian will run for a Federal seat, revealing he suspects she won‘t end up pursuing a term in Canberra despite his repeated public attempts to defend her post-ICAC.
Former premier Ms Berejiklian, who appeared before the NSW corruption watchdog in November, is thought to have been considering a tilt for the North Sydney seat of Warringah at the PM‘s request.
But at a press conference today Mr Morrison said while he would “welcome” Gladys into federal politics, he ”suspects” Ms Berejiklian will turn down the offer.
Want the best politics coverage? Subscribe for more news
“I think she was an outstanding Premier … she has been one of the strong female leaders in our country, and so the way that I think that she has more to offer Australia in that regard, of course I do,” Mr Morrison said.
“If she wished to put herself forward, then of course, I would welcome that … but that‘s a decision for Gladys ultimately, and she may choose not to go ahead here, I suspect.”
He added: “But that‘s a matter for her and I respect her choice.”
Ms Berejiklian stood down from public office in September amid the ICAC‘s investigation into if she broke the law by failing to report a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct by her ex-lover, former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.
She has denied any wrongdoing and says she had no reason to suspect Maguire, with the investigation‘s findings yet to be released.
Mr Morrison is said to have delayed the preselection deadline in order for Ms Berejiklian to consider the offer, which would have her up against Independent MP Zali Steggall in next year‘s election in a bid to reclaim ex-prime minister Tony Abbott’s old seat.
A number of senior federal Liberal figures including Mr Abbott and former PM John Howard have also publicly backed the former NSW premier to make the switch to Canberra despite the incomplete ICAC investigation.
It comes following earlier comments from Mr Morrison in support of the ex-premier, where on Monday he called the public grilling of Ms Berejiklian during the ICAC investigation “shameful”.
He echoed similar statements on Wednesday, reiterating he thought she had “more to offer Australia”.
“I know it‘s been a very difficult time for her in recent times, she has suffered terribly in terms of things that have been aired publicly,” Mr Morrison said.
“And I think that was just awful, awful to watch, terrible.”
He added: “So I can totally respect that if she didn‘t want to go ahead, then that would be totally her choice about what she wants to do and the contribution she wants to make going forward.”
More Coverage
Cops receive ‘critical evidence’ video after nurse’s home raided
Five days after two nurses went viral over comments threatening to kill Israeli patients, police have finally confirmed they are in possession of the clip they needed.
Crisis guru joins Karen Webb’s media team
Who is Police Commissioner Karen Webb’s new media chief? Why are MPs moaning about the new parliament house canteen menu? And what’s causing unrest among Coalition MPs? The Sauce is here.