NSW Liberals turn away from the federal Coalition as anti-Morrison Government sentiment grows

Senior state Liberals yesterday confessed they were scared as hell over the “freight train” of anti-Morrison Government sentiment heading their way because they will now almost certainly go to the polls before their federal counterparts.

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A senior state government minister says the NSW Liberals should “buy Scott Morrison a ticket to Siberia” as the NSW Coalition now almost certainly will have to face the polls before their federal counterparts.

State ministers yesterday were bracing for a belting at the NSW election in March, with senior ministerial sources lamenting that they needed to urgently differentiate themselves from the federal government.

“There is a freight train coming at the NSW government and there’s still time to get out of the way but we’re not moving very quickly,” one senior minister said.

It is now almost certain the state will go to the polls before the federal government does, following the Victorian election belting and with Mr Morrison indicating he wants to deliver a federal budget in May.

Senior NSW Liberals are concerned with the anti-Morrison Government sentiment. Picture: AAP

Multiple ministers and sources spoken to by The Daily Telegraph across all factions are privately urging Premier Gladys Berejiklian to take bold policy choices and to clearly differentiate herself from the Federal Party.

“She has got to differentiate herself because any link to Canberra is poisonous. We should buy Scott Morrison a ticket to Siberia,” one senior minister said.

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Premier Gladys Berejiklian is being urged to differentiate herself from the federal Coalition. Picture: AAP

Another state government source yesterday lamented that Treasurer Dominic Perrottet had chosen Monday to announce he was collaborating with former Labor prime minister Paul Keating and Lucy Turnbull to revitalise services on Macquarie Street.

“How out of touch can we be? Do you think voters care about Macquarie Street? It is the domain of the politician.

“Imagine what people 30km out of town think about that. And that’s symbolic of the problem we face,” the source said.

Former Labor prime minister Paul Keating is collaborating with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Lucy Turnbull to revitalise Macquarie Street. Picture: AAP

Lucy Turnbull, Greater Sydney Commissioner has also been approached by Mr Perrottet for advice on Macquarie Street. Picture: Britta Campion

Ministers are also privately seething that new Labor leader Michael Daley has put stadiums back on the news agenda — a contentious issue the government believed it had put to bed.

However Transport Minister Andrew Constance argued there was a clear difference between the NSW government and its federal counterparts.

“We are in may ways incredibly progressive and forward thinking. And we have a premier who is progressive and forward thinking and I believe the dynamics are different to anywhere in Australia,” he said.

NSW Labor leader Michael Daley has put stadiums back in the news. Picture: AAP

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance argues there is a clear difference between the NSW government and its federal counterparts.

Mr Constance, and several other ministers believe Mr Daley’s links to the former failed Labor government will be a significant problem for him in a repeat of the Bennelong federal by-election where Kristina Keneally was dogged by the same historical connections.

Victorian Labor Premier Dan Andrews’ re-election has buoyed the NSW Labor leader. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Ms Berejiklian on Sunday indicated she did not want Mr Morrison or his federal colleagues to play a role in the March state election.

Mr Daley said yesterday he was “buoyed” by the Labor victory in Victoria.

“Dan Andrews succeeded in an election on a very simple model of respect and providing services and that’s exactly what I said I wanted to do on day one.”

Ms Berejiklian is six seats away from minority government with most recent polling putting the major state parties locked at 50-50.

The Premier conceded on Sunday the lead-up to the NSW election would be “incredibly tough” and claimed she was the underdog.

The deep divisions within the NSW Greens are also looming as an issue of concern for the Berejiklian government, with a possibility the chaos in the minor party could push unhappy Greens voters towards Labor.