Scott Morrison comments on Gladys Berejiklian’s potential return to politics

Scott Morrison has said while Gladys Berejiklian has “more to contribute” she would have to wait until after the ICAC investigation is finalised before considering a return to politics.

A tilt at federal politics for former Premier Gladys Berejiklian would have to come after she’s dealt with the “issues before her” says Scott Morrison.

The Prime Minister said only after the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation was finalised would Ms Berejiklian be able to turn her focus to a potential future return to politics.

“But they are really issues for Gladys to work through when she’s ready to do that,” Mr Morrison told Sunrise this morning.

Senior Liberals say a move into federal politics for Premier Gladys Berejiklian is unlikely given the ongoing ICAC investigation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“Right now, she’s going to deal with the issues before her, but I know she’s got a lot more to contribute and there are many ways that I’m sure she can do that.”

Mr Morrison said he was “quite certain” the people of NSW would “love to see her contributing in one way or another”.

“And when she’s worked through those issues, I’m sure she’ll set out what she would like to do next,” he said.

“We have a proper selection process in our party, and there are many different ways that she could serve, they don’t necessarily need to be in the parliament.

“But I respect, you know, Gladys taking the time in what has been a very difficult, very difficult period for her.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian bump elbows after touring the NorthConnex tunnel. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

Mr Morrison said he was “grateful” for the work Ms Berejiklian had done as premier, adding she has “done an enormous service to the people of NSW”.

“I join with the many thousands, if not millions, of people from NSW who are very sad that she’s had to step down and she has a lot more to contribute,” he said.

Mr Morrison said his government would continue to work with the new premier to reopen NSW started under Ms Berejiklian’s leadership.

“They’ve got a great plan to bring NSW out of these lockdowns that backs in the national plan, which we’ve put together,” he said.

Earlier it was revealed the outgoing premier would be welcomed by the Liberal Party to run for federal parliament, but senior Liberals said the timing of an ICAC inquiry that led her to quit the top job could also spoil a move to Canberra at the next election.

Senior Liberal sources said Ms Berejiklian would be the right fit for several federal electorates including Warringah, the former seat of ex-Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The seat is currently held by independent Zali Steggall, who beat Mr Abbott in the 2019 election and holds it with a 7.2 per cent margin.

However, the sources acknowledged it would be “fanciful” to think Ms Berejiklian could take a tilt at federal politics at the next election given the timing of the ICAC probe.

“The timing is not going to work,” one senior Liberal said.

It’s believed Ms Berejiklian would be an asset in a range of seats in the event that she is cleared by the corruption watchdog.

“She could take Bennelong where there’s a big Armenian population, she could take Bradfield in the event that Paul Fletcher ever retires, Warringah where she grew up, or the Senate if Marise (Payne) ­retires,” a senior Liberal source said.

But with a federal election due in the first half of next year, any desire for Ms Berejiklian to follow former ­Premiers John Fahey, Bob Carr and Kristina Keneally into federal politics would be stymied by the ongoing ICAC investigation.

Nominations for Warringah are already open and the corruption watchdog won’t hold its next public hearing for another two weeks. A final ­report could take years.

Ms Berejiklian’s office said they would not comment. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also did not comment.

Originally published as Scott Morrison comments on Gladys Berejiklian’s potential return to politics