Rob Stokes, Stuart Ayres, Dominic Perrottet contenders for NSW Premier
The contenders vying to be the next NSW Premier have been revealed, with factional bosses claiming Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has “blown up his chances” over plans to oust Liberal councillors.
NSW
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A decision won’t be made on who will be the next NSW Premier until Tuesday morning, as Planning Minister Rob Stokes has firmed as a favourite to take the helm, alongside Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.
It comes after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced her resignation today after the Independent Commission Against Corruption revealed it was investigating whether she had breached public trust.
But factional warfare, which saw Mr Perrottet’s hard-right Liberals target the centre-right at a Local Government level, could have cost the Treasurer the crown of becoming the next NSW Premier.
A senior Liberal has revealed to NewsLocal centre-right members inside NSW parliament have walked away from a deal, which would have seen his role as premier cemented.
The source said the decision to refuse support for Mr Perrottet came after hard-right factional leaders inside the Liberal Party’s Local Government Oversight Committee recommend the ousting of a group of sitting Sydney Councillors, including Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne, from running in the upcoming council elections.
They instead called for candidates to be “cherrypicked” by party leaders.
“Perrottet has blown up his chance to become Premier of NSW because of his factions move against centre-right Sydney councillors, the source said.
“We walked away from the table, and the crown will go to Rob Stokes of Stuart Ayres.”
A senior Labor MP said Planning Minister Rob Stokes was “the man Labor fear facing the most”, describing the Pittwater MP as “Mike Baird 2.0”.
“It would be difficult to come up against him in an election,” the MP said. “He is the kind of man that can do it all.”
In a statement issued on Friday afternoon, Mr Perrottet said he would “be talking to my family and colleagues about how I can best serve the people of NSW to continue to achieve these aims”.
“The interests of the people of NSW must always come first, and the priority for the Government is to ensure we continue to keep people safe, and that we re-open the economy and get people back to work, kids back to school, and life back to normal as fast as possible,” he said. “I would like to offer my gratitude and thanks to Gladys Berejiklian for the leadership and strength she has shown throughout her career and especially during one of the most challenging periods any leader could ever encounter.
“Gladys has worked tirelessly before and through the pandemic to protect the people of NSW from COVID-19 and to ensure our great State remains strong and resilient.
“The Premier has always placed the wellbeing and welfare of NSW first, showing an unstinting dedication to public service and a great love for her community.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said Ms Berejiklian “has led this State through some of its darkest days”.
“Everyone has the right to defend their name and I wish Gladys all the best for her future,” he said. “Any speculation regarding Liberal Party leadership remains an issue for the Liberal Party.
“The NSW Nationals remain committed to a strong and stable NSW Coalition Government.”
Meanwhile, Manly state Liberal MP James Griffin said “today is a sad day for NSW”.
“Gladys Berejiklian has been the leader we needed when it has mattered the most,” he said.
“Through floods, bushfires and now a pandemic, Gladys has led NSW through thick and thin.
“I am saddened to lose a mentor, friend and colleague.
“I believe this is a tragic and unfair outcome for one of Australia’s most respected and brilliant leaders — I am sure I speak for many people in our community in saying ‘Thank you Gladys’.”
NewsLocal understand Police Minister David Elliott has been tipped to become Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party.
WHO ARE THE CONTENDERS
ROB STOKES
Pittwater state Liberal MP Rob Stokes has been a member of parliament since 2007, and is the current Planning and Public Spaces Minister.
Stokes has held the Ministeral portfolios of Education, Environment, Heritage, Central Coast and Assistant Minister for Planning.
The Pittwater MP holds a Masters of Science from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in planning law completed under a Commonwealth scholarship.
DOMINIC PERROTTET
Epping state Liberal MP Dominic Perrottet has been a member of Parliament since 2011, previously holding to seats of Castle Hill (2011 -2015) and Hawkesbury (2015-2019).
Perrottet was elected as the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party NSW 2017.
The current NSW Treasurer has previous held the ministerial portfolios of Industrial Relations, Finance, Services and Property.
STUART AYRES
Penrith state Liberal MP Stuart Ayres has been a member of NSW Parliament since 2010.
the current Western Sydney, Jobs, Investment and Tourism Minister has also held the portfolios of Sport, WestConnex, Trade, Major Events, Fair Trading, Police and Emergency Services.
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