NSW Liberals line up to replace outgoing Premier Gladys Berejiklian

A former insider has weighed in on the battle over the outgoing Premier’s job, with an “obvious” frontrunner facing a potential roadblock.

Former state Liberal Minister Pru Goward has weighed in on the future NSW Premier following the Friday resignation of Gladys Berejiklian.

The outgoing leader said she had “no regrets” during her time at the helm, after the state‘s corruption watchdog said it would be conducting a ”breach of trust” investigation into her past conduct.

“Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and something which I do not want to do, I love my job, and serving the community,” Ms Berejiklian said in yesterday’s surprise press conference. “But I have been given no option following the statement issued (by ICAC),” she said in a press conference announcing her resignation.”

Former MP Mrs Goward says while Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is the “obvious frontrunner” in the eyes of many, the final decision will all come down to factional politics.

A number of names have been thrown into the mix with Mr Perrottet, including the Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Minister for Jobs and tourism Stuart Ayres.

“I understand that ministers Ayers and the Treasurer are very closely involved with the management of the lockdown and the Covid crisis already,” Mrs Goward told the ABC Saturday morning.

The race is on to fill the outgoing Premier’s decision.

“So if it were one of those two I don‘t think a lot would change because I think they are very well on top of it. I’m not sure about Rob’s involvement in the management of the pandemic but she certainly always relied on Rob because of his great intelligence and experience.”

The former MP said while Perrottet was a “good parliamentary performer”, her understanding is that the moderates are “still the majority faction in NSW”.

“It is inconceivable to me that in the end they would vote for somebody from a very - very clearly different faction when they have two candidates of their own who I think they would see would be perfectly acceptable,” she continued.

“I don‘t think it can be assumed that it would be Perrottet. He’s been a great treasurer and is a great performer but I’m saying in a state where the moderate faction is so dominant it would be extraordinary to me if he were just given it.”

The former MP said while Perrottet was a ‘good parliamentary performer’, her understanding is that the moderates are ‘still the majority faction in NSW’.

The state’s planning Minister Rob Stokes officially announced his plans to run for leadership of the NSW Liberal Party, acknowledging the current buzz surrounding NSW Treasurer Perrottet.

Speaking to reporters outside his Northern Beaches home, he commended outgoing Premier, Gladys Berejiklian’s “extraordinary example of leadership” and said he would continue with her Covid exit plan if elected.

“Gladys Berejiklian has provided an extraordinary example of leadership and of stability and it would be my intention to continue (the plan) as laid out, particularly in relation to the opening up,” he said.

“That’s been done by agreement, it’s also a bipartisan strategy which has been terrific.”

Mr Perrottet has yet to officially announced plans to contest the leadership.

Mr Stokes has confirmed to media he will run to become the next leader of the NSW Liberal Party. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.

“I think Dom has strong claims to the job and he’s putting them out there,” Mr Stokes said.

“But I also think it’s important to provide the party room and therefore the community with a choice and that’s part of the reason I am committed to standing.”

Currently, betting site Sportsbet has the Treasurer in the lead with odds of 1.25, however Mr Stokes is trailing behind with 2.75.

Other contenders are the NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean (6) and NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres at 7.5.

-- with Jessica Wang

Originally published as NSW Liberals line up to replace outgoing Premier Gladys Berejiklian