Miranda Devine: ‘Why Gladys is a true blue Liberal hero’

The first woman to be elected Premier of NSW, the first leader in almost half a century to win a third term for the Coalition in this state, Gladys Berejiklian took to the stage at her victory party in Sydney as the humble new Liberal hero, Miranda Devine writes.

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The first woman to be elected Premier of NSW, the first leader in almost half a century to win a third term for the Coalition in this state, Premier Gladys Berejiklian took to the stage at her victory party in Sydney as the humble new Liberal hero.

She is the woman who has breathed life back into the party, and has given hope to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Criticised for being no good at politics, she has proved the naysayers wrong and shown that prudent fiscal management and competent government is rewarded by voters, over free giveaways and catchy slogans.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the election victory party. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty

As the Liberal faithful chanted her name, “Gladys, Gladys, Gladys”, and “four more years” she thanked the people of NSW, “a state in which someone with a long surname, and a woman, can be the premier”.

Joining her on stage at the Liberal victory party were the Premier’s parents, Armenian migrants Arsha and Krikorat, and younger sisters Mary and Rita.

“I’m ecstatic”, said Mary, in a glamorous silver sass & bide pantsuit, who was cheered by the crowd as a celebrity in her own right.

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Earlier, a buoyant Prime Minister Scott Morrison had jumped on stage while the Premier waited upstairs in a room at the Sofitel-Wentworth hotel until Labor leader Michael Daley made his concession speech.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian with local Liberal candidate for Granville Tony Issa during a visit to Merrylands on Friday. Picture: Dean Lewins

“How good is Gladys,” Morrison boomed as the crowd roared “ScoMo, ScoMo”.

Morrison said he wanted to thank the Premier “for the great government you’ve been delivering for the people of NSW and thanks for the great advertisement you’ve been for the Liberal party in NSW … in two months we’ll be back here celebrating another Liberals-National government”.

Labor Leader Michael Daley on a visit to Jamison High School in the crucial seat of Penrith. Picture: David Swift.

Former PM John Howard, standing in the crowd, was delighted. “We still don’t know the final figures but there’s a good prospect of governing government in her own right. And if you look at the votes the Labor gain is less than was predicted a couple of years ago. She deserves a lot of credit … and it’s very encouraging, as far as I’m concerned, for the federal election.

“We’re still facing an uphill battle federally being realistic but it’s a good omen.”

Up on the big screen in the ballroom 2GB host Alan Jones, famously at war with Labor over the stadiums, had his revenge: “Thank you for your service Mr Daley.”