New Premier Gladys Berejiklian says voters want to be heard at all times — not just elections

Gladys Berejiklian plans to reach out to disenchanted voters who have embraced the likes of Pauline Hanson and “the Trump effect” when she assumes charge today. She was elected unopposed as the new NSW Premier this morning.

• Gladys the caring sister who isn’t afraid of spiders

NSW’S next premier, Gladys Berejiklian, vows to reach out to disenchanted voters who have embraced the likes of One Nation and “the Trump effect”, saying she understands “politics is changing”.

The 46-year-old daughter of Armenian migrants became the 45th NSW premier after being elected unopposed as the new leader of the Liberal Party this morning.

She will be sworn in as the first female Liberal NSW premier this afternoon. Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet was elected as deputy leader.

The likely first act of the Berejiklian Coalition government to address voter concerns is a rollback of local government amalgamations currently in dispute before the courts, a policy championed by Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro.

Reshuffle rewards for Berejiklian backers. Art: Daily Telegraph

“The nature of politics is changing,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“People want to be heard — not just at elections but at all times.

“Everyone should feel part of the success story of NSW.

“I want to make it clear that should I be given the high honour today, as premier I will work hard for everyone, listening to everyone and governing for everyone.

“There’s no doubt people want to feel part of something in between elections and as a government we have to appreciate that and work out how we demonstrate that.

“I feel we’re in a process — (like) governments around the world — of adapting to a different set of expectations from the community.”

NSW Premier-in-waiting Gladys Berejiklian chats with residents near her home on Sunday morning. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Her statements come as a Reach-Tel poll on the weekend found with Ms Berejiklian’s ascension, the One Nation vote in the state was at 15 per cent.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner’s position is on the line.

Ms Berejiklian’s first cabinet will be appointed on the basis of rewarding those MPs who backed her into the premier’s job, a move some believe does not auger well for the government’s way forward.

And the cabinet, expected to be announced early next week, has already hit a snag with Mr Barilaro wanting the treasurer’s job.

That’s despite guarantees to Ms Berejiklian’s new deputy Liberal leader Dominic Perrottet that he will be promoted to the state’s top economic job.

The two moderate faction numbers men, Legislative Council president Don Harwin and Matt Kean are set to be rewarded with ministries and Prisons Minister David Elliott will be promoted for getting Centre Right votes across to Ms Berejiklian, having been a past backer of Rob Stokes for the leadership.

Energy Minister Anthony Roberts is pushing for justice — and is understood to likely get the job — and has already been guaranteed that he will remain government leader of the house.

One moderate MP has described giving Mr Roberts the justice portfolio as “the price of peace”.

Gladys Berejiklian and prospective deputy Dominic Perrottet in her office in Martin Place. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Right-winger Alister Henskens and another member of the right, such as Tanya Davies or Damien Tudehope, are expected to be elevated to cabinet. The Right’s number in cabinet will increase by one in return for supporting Ms Berejiklian ahead of Mr Stokes and Andrew Constance.

To make room for newcomers to cabinet, Ms Berejiklian is expected to dump Family and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard and make Disability Minister John Ajaka president of the Legislative Council.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner’s position is on the line but MPs say she has threatened Gladys Berejiklian that if dumped from cabinet she will retire and cause a by-election in her seat of North Shore, to go with the by-election in Manly caused by Mr Baird’s retirement.

Ms Berejiklian is also expected to allow Mike Gallacher, who was kicked out of the parliamentary party after being accused by ICAC of being an “untruthful witness”, back in the party room today.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner’s position is on the line,

It is understood Ms Berejiklian attempted to talk Mr Gallacher out of going to the meeting, without success.

“They are imploding,” one MP said. “Constance is pissed off, Stokes is pissed off. They believe she did not need to give the Right so much.”

Among the Nationals tipped to be dumped are Local Government Minister Paul Toole, Education Minister Adrian Piccoli and Early Childhood Minister Leslie Williams.

Expected to come into cabinet from Nationals’ ranks are Melinda Pavey, Sarah Mitchell and Adam Marshall.

The man who will today be voted in as deputy leader of the Liberal Party, Dominic Perrottet, said last night: “It will be a great privilege to continue the fantastic work of Mike Baird and work alongside someone as dedicated as Gladys if I am elected as Deputy Leader today.

“I have always thought of politics as a vocation to serve others and it will be an honour to serve the people of NSW in a new capacity.”