Matt Kean set to become NSW deputy Liberal leader as David Elliott pulls pin at Premier’s request
Matt Kean is set to be elected unopposed as NSW deputy Liberal leader. David Elliott has withdrawn at the request of Dominic Perrottet after the Premier’s “demand for unity”.
NSW
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Treasurer Matt Kean is set to be endorsed unopposed as the Deputy Liberal Leader after senior Minister David Elliott pulled out of the running.
Mr Elliott said he decided not to put his name forward at Premier Dominic Perrottet’s request.
“He certainly didn’t tell me to withdraw, but he certainly said that he didn’t want to have a ballot. And I respect that,” Mr Elliott told 2GB.
Agreeing that there is a “stench” of “jobs for the boys” surrounding the government, Mr Elliott said the Liberal party needs a time of “healing”.
Mr Elliott told 2GB’s Jim Wilson that Mr Perrottet had “laid down (a) demand for unity” ahead of a party room meeting on Tuesday.
“I told him I respect his wish to pick his own deputy,” Mr Elliott said.
“I’ve had to eat some Humble Pie today,” he said.
Mr Elliott said that Mr Kean is set to be elected unopposed unless someone else puts their name forward before Tuesday morning.
He said he did not think any women in the party were interested in putting their name forward, which was a “shame”.
Mr Elliott has vowed to hold Mr Kean “accountable” in his role as Deputy Leader.
Earlier, Mr Kean said he would run for the Deputy position on Tuesday morning.
The Treasurer added that he will put his hand up for the role of Liberal party deputy leader at the party’s meeting on Tuesday.
“I’ll be putting my name forward. And that’ll be up to my colleagues to decide whether or not they’d like me to fill this role,” he said.
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