Why Peter Dutton thinks Mark Speakman will be next premier

Peter Dutton has thrown his support behind state opposition leader Mark Speakman, declaring he ‘can become the next premier in NSW’.

Peter Dutton has thrown his support behind state opposition leader Mark Speakman, declaring he “can become the next premier in NSW”.

The comments follow persistent rumblings among NSW Liberal MPs of a leadership challenge amid concerns the former barrister was not up to the task of holding the Minns government to account.

The discontent also comes amid ongoing criticism from media commentators such as 2GB host Ben Fordham, who has described Mr Speakman as “boring” and “woke”.

Asked about Mr Speakman on Friday, Mr Dutton told The Saturday Telegraph the Liberal leader was doing a good job “in difficult circumstances” but he “truly believed” his state counterpart could become the next premier.

“I’m a strong supporter of Mark Speakman and I’ve really found him to be a very honourable and decent person, and he’s obviously intelligent and has experience in the parliament,” he said. “He’s doing a great job in difficult circumstances in Opposition.

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is “a strong supporter of Mark Speakman”. Picture: NewsWire/Damian Shaw

“I think people are starting to see the cracks in the Minns government and the internal plays, particularly around planning and the failures on housing. I think if the pressure continues on the Minns government and the state team is focused on that, then I truly believe that Mark Speakman can be the next premier in NSW.”

Among the possible leadership candidates – some of whom are being put forward by others – include shadow attorney general Alister Henskens, Opposition energy and environment spokesman James Griffin, deputy Liberal leader Natalie Ward, Opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane and Lane Cove MP Anthony Roberts.

Liberal leader Mark Speakmandid not care if he was called “woke. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Appearing on Mr Fordham’s show on Friday, a fired-up Mr Speakman dismissed criticisms that he was “boring” and not up to the task of toppling Chris Minns at the next election.

He also said he did not care if he was called “woke”, saying he would “stand up for my MPs and groups in the community every day”.

“I’m not running to be on The Voice or a celebrity contest – I’m running to be premier. I’m not in the job to be an entertainer. I’m in the job to get things done,” he said.

“You don’t have to be shrill or shouting or screaming at people, or being a joke-cracker, to be an effective premier.”

When Fordham asked him about being a left-wing Liberal who had backed the Voice referendum and refused to support Dutton’s nuclear power plan, Mr Speakman said that he saw himself as a “conventional Liberal”.

“You don’t join the Liberal Party to be left wing – you join Labor or, further to the left, the Greens,” he said.

As for not committing to backing Mr Dutton’s nuclear plan, which included power plants at Lithgow and in the Hunter, Mr Speakman said he would wait to see the costings and briefings.

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