Premier Gladys Berejiklian on track to win 48 seats in lower house

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has promised to inject fresh blood into her cabinet as she puts together a new team to lead the state. Her new ministry will be sworn in next week — but without two familiar faces who have chosen not to put their hands up for a cabinet position.

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Premier Gladys Berejiklian has promised to inject fresh blood into her cabinet as she puts together a new team to lead the state.

Ms Berejiklian visited Government House on Tuesday to ­inform Governor David Hurley she had secured a majority of votes in last Saturday’s election to form government.

The Coalition is on track to win 48 seats in the 93-seat lower house for a third-straight term in power after Ms Berejiklian became the first woman elected to NSW Premier.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is welcomed by Official Secretary to the NSW Governor Michael Miller when she went to meet with Governor David Hurley to tell him she had secured the majority of votes in the election. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

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“This is a proud moment for my government to be able to make this confirmation,” she said.

Nationals candidate Dugald Saunders was declared the winner in Dubbo on Monday night to give the Coalition its 47th seat and a clear majority.

It appears the Liberals will also hold onto the ultra-marginal seat of East Hills, with Wendy Lindsay ahead. The ­official result is not expected to be declared for a few days.

Ms Berejiklian has already met with the three independent MPs, who have promised to provide confidence and supply over the next four years.

But she ruled out making one of them speaker, which would have given her an extra MP on the floor of parliament.

“When you have a majority government you have the ­opportunity to put your team forward and that’s what I’m looking forward to do,” Ms ­Berejiklian said.

Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair won’t be putting his hands up for a cabinet position.

Neither will Mental Health Minister Tanya Davies. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Her new ministry is expected to be sworn in next week and will include some fresh faces, after two ministers — Niall Blair and Tanya Davies — said they would not be putting their hands up for a cabinet position.

“When you’re putting together a new cabinet you need a mix of experience and new blood as well, and that is the ­balance I hope to strike,” Ms ­Berejiklian told 2GB radio earlier in the day.

“You want experienced heads around the table but you want new blood who have the energy, ­enthusiasm and different insights as well.

“I’m spoiled for choice, I’ve got a very strong team of people to choose and that will be my biggest stress this week, putting together my best team and putting my best foot forward.”