Former staffer reveals what it was like to work for Gladys Berejiklian
A former electorate officer to Gladys Berejiklian, lists the reasons why the people of NSW will remember the premier following her resignation.
Opinion
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When Gladys Berejiklian became premier in January 2017, she chose the slogan: “Working for you.”
It was more than a slogan – it was a way of life for Gladys. I know this because I saw it up close.
At the start of her career as the Member for Willoughby, Gladys took a chance on me – a 21-year-old uni student – to work in her office. I was young and naive, but full of energy.
A few weeks after starting, I put an event in her diary that was later cancelled. I forgot to tell her, and she turned up to an empty hall. She was rightfully not impressed, and I prepared to get in deep trouble.
Instead, Gladys spoke to me in a thoughtful, considered and forgiving way, telling me to learn from my mistakes. We quickly moved on.
She taught me the importance of focusing on the work – and the importance of listening, empathy and helping people solve their problems.
Gladys’ work ethic and attention to detail is legendary. We saw that every day as Premier.
History will not judge Gladys on an ICAC investigation. I know because we don’t view Nick Greiner and Barry O’Farrell in that way.
I believe Gladys will be fondly remembered for three key achievements. The first is becoming the first women elected Premier of NSW.
Gladys became Premier with just over two years to prove herself before the next election. Past premiers who took over midterm, such as Kristina Keneally, did not succeed.
Gladys was different and bold.
She campaigned on infrastructure, promising two new metro lines, 68 new or upgraded schools and hospitals, and a new Sydney Football Stadium. These were the right things to do.
Despite a small swing, Gladys held on to win, remarking that “someone with a long surname, and a woman, can be Premier of NSW”.
When a new and diverse generation of leaders take up public service, Gladys will be fondly remembered.
The second is fixing the NSW transport system. Gladys became Transport Minister in 2011 after 16 years of Labor.
Gladys got immediately to work, delivering the north-west and south-west rail links and rolling out the Opal card. In coming decades when we ride on the train and tap our Opal, Gladys will be fondly remembered.
The third is handling the Covid pandemic. Gladys’ strategy was one of transparency and communication.
Whether you agreed or disagreed with her decisions, you knew where you had to be at 11am every day. Commonly referred to as “Gladys o’clock”, daily press conferences were important in sharing information and decision making.
Gladys, like all political leaders, did not have a pandemic play book to cite or refer to. Although we may disagree on the level of restrictions, Gladys had a conviction to keep us safe.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, when we return to normal with friends and family, Gladys will be fondly remembered.
In her final act as Premier, Gladys continued to live by the slogan “Working for you” by resigning.
She is resigning not because she has done wrong, but because she knows that she cannot work for us while an investigation is underway.
Matt Cross is a former electorate officer to Gladys Berejiklian
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