Dominic Perrottet to become NSW’s next premier

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet will be our new Premier after Matt Kean helped strike a deal between the Liberal Party’s different factions.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is on track to be installed as NSW Premier with Stuart Ayres serving as deputy Liberal leader after a frantic 48 hours of factional negotiations following Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation.

Mr Perrottet looks all but certain to win the party room vote on Tuesday, however he could face a challenge from Planning Minister Rob Stokes who was last night still in the race.

The deal came after days of factional infighting, with multiple moderate Liberals expressing concerns about Mr Perrottet taking over as leader with Matt Kean serving as deputy.

Mr Kean – who was Mr Perrottet’s key numbers man – was robbed of the deputy position, a role he has long been touted for.

As revealed by The Daily Telegraph, moderate MP Lee Evans was concerned that Western Sydney voters would feel “alienated” by the Perrottet/Kean ticket.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announcing that he will run for Premier following the resigning of Gladys Berejiklian. Picture:Richard Dobson

Matt Kean would be Mr Perrottet’s treasurer. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Mr Kean fell on his sword on Sunday, as he could see Western Sydney was emerging as a problem for his candidacy.

Appointing Mr Ayres as deputy is likely to boost popularity in Western Sydney seats the Coalition needs to win to hold onto power.

“From the city to the suburbs, from the coast to the bush, we’re about representing every single person in NSW,” Mr Ayres said.

Centre-right faction leader David Elliott praised Mr Kean for striking a deal that thwarted his ambitions for the deputy role.

“Matt Kean has displayed the most selfless act in politics in recent times and his loyalty to the party will always be remembered,” Mr Elliott said.

Police Minister David Elliott has praised Matt Kean for his loyalty. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A government led by Mr Perrottet, the biggest advocate of opening up the economy from the Covid pandemic, could accelerate the state’s path out of lockdown. In his pitch to voters, Mr Perrottet emphasised the importance of the state’s Covid recovery. He said NSW would come out of Covid “much stronger”.

“That’s all about ensuring we keep people safe as we have, that we keep people in jobs, we keep businesses open, and importantly, we get kids back to school as quickly as possible,” he said.

“I know this is a time of challenge in our state but I have complete hope and optimism that NSW is in a very good place.

“We believe that this is a team that will provide stability, unity and experience and continue the great work of Premier Gladys Berejiklian.”

Mr Perrottet has praised the work of outgoing Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: Getty Images

The deal likely spells the end of Mr Stokes’ ambitions to become premier. Last night he was the only other senior cabinet minister to have formally thrown his hat in the ring, arguing on Friday he had “the right balance of experience, vision and integrity” needed to assume the role.

Mr Perrottet said: Rob Stokes is not just a friend, he’s an incredibly talented member of our team, and we promote competition.”

A number of MPs from the dominant moderate faction were said to be supporting Mr Stokes, rather than Mr Perrottet, from the right faction.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman, who had been said to be considering a tilt at the leadership or deputy role, ruled himselfout of the race.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes now has a hard road ahead to become Premier. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The jostling to determine the leadership team came after two days of internal negotiations which included members of the centre-right faction looking to back a candidate other than Mr Perrottet.

A long-running factional feud was seen as one reason that centre-right MPs would support a moderate candidate over Mr Perrottet.

Mr Kean is set to be appointed as Treasurer under the deal that saw him lose out as deputy Liberal Leader.

“Whatever happened I was always going to be backing Kean as Treasurer because he is by far the most qualified person when it comes to the state’s finances,” Mr Elliott said.