New Premier says Sydney’s west is ‘all that is great about our State’

GLADYS Berejiklian has made her first visit to Penrith as NSW Premier, saying the region “represents all that is great about our State’’.

New NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Penrith State Liberal MP Stuart Ayres at the Coffee Club on Friday. Picture: Justin Sanson

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GLADYS Berejiklian has made her first visit to Penrith as NSW Premier, saying the region “represents all that is great about our State’’.

The freshly-minted leader told a crowd that included Panthers boss Phil Gould and community radio host Ross Hutchison that she had been anxious to visit Penrith after taking on the new role.

“Yesterday Cabinet met for the first time and then I panicked. I thought ‘I have been in the job for a week and I haven’t been to Penrith yet’ so I have to fix that,’’ she said.

“I hope this demonstrates to you how much I appreciate the value and worth of your community to the success of NSW.’’

Ms Berejiklian said she had offered Penrith State Liberal MP Stuart Ayres “the hardest job in government because I feel he is the best person for it’’.

New NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was well received by the audience at Penrith.

“To have him as the Minister for Western Sydney and yes, he has the big WestConnex project but Stuey is also in charge of the Western Sydney Airport. He is in charge of every major issue that matters in Western Sydney and he will have the power to get things done.

“That is what I want. I want doers on my team.’’

She promised to be a frequent visitor to Penrith, saying as the daughter of a boilermaker and a nurse, she understood “hard work can get you anywhere in this State’’.

“I want every young person to feel that level of hope and aspiration and your community represents that.’’

Ms Berejiklian told the crowd she intends to be a regular visitor to Penrith.

Earlier Mr Ayres had praised Ms Berejiklian, telling the audience at the Coffee Club, at the Nepean River, that his new boss possessed “a work ethic like I have never seen before, an attention to detail, a genuine respect for hardworking people and a no-bullshit attitude’’.

Penrith Council Citizen of the Year Ross Hutchison enjoyed chatting with the Premier.

“She congratulated me on my award,’’ the Vintage FM star said.

“She is so down to earth.’’

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Penrith State Liberal MP Stuart Ayres at the Coffee Club in Jamisontown.