‘Distraction’: Dominic Perrottet’s warning to feuding ministers

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has issued a serious warning to two Liberal ministers fighting over leaked text messages.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has warned to Liberal ministers to stop fighting in public or risk losing their jobs.

Transport Minister David Elliott sparked an ugly war of words after accusing Treasurer Matt Kean of “treachery” against the Coalition during the federal election.

Mr Perrottet is putting his foot down, demanding his ministers “focus on their jobs or find themselves out of a job”.

“My expectation is ministers are focused every single day on the great people of NSW,” he told reporters on Monday.

“There’ll always be words from time to time but ultimately our focus, my expectation, of ministers here in NSW, is that we continue to deliver for the people in our state.

“This is a distraction from what is our focus, and every single day I’m focused on making sure the people of NSW are set up for a brighter future.”

Earlier, Mr Elliott slammed Mr Kean over revelations he was trying to undermine the Coalition weeks out from the election.

Leaked texts showed Mr Kean encouraging a journalist to grill members of his own party on a potentially damaging issue.

Mr Kean told a journalist to press then prime minister Scott Morrison over his appointment of controversial candidate Katherine Deves to run for the federal seat of Warringah.

“I’m disgusted,” Mr Elliott told 2GB Radio.

“Matt Kean’s behaviour is nothing short of treachery and will be repaid in kind.”

David Elliot says he is disgusted with reports that Matt Kean encouraged a journalist to grill his Liberal Party colleagues on sensitive issues. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Mr Kean responded to the serve by describing the messages in question as “lighthearted banter”, claiming he never asked journalists to ask any questions.

“David Elliott’s got my phone number, I haven’t spoken to him about that,” he told reporters.

Mr Elliott said the act was something he had come to expect from “a certain former Liberal PM,” likely referring to Malcolm Turnbull, who has publicly questioned his party’s actions in the past.

Ms Deves had come under fire for her campaign against trans athletes in women’s sport and other comments many considered offensive to trans people.

According to a report by The Australian, Mr Kean texted a journalist, telling them to grill Mr Morrison at a press conference he held alongside NSW Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward to announce significant new roadworks.

The journalist reportedly texted back after the event that Ms Ward appeared willing to discuss the matter, but Mr Morrison would not be drawn out on the issue and had ended the press conference early.

Matt Kean denies the allegations and says he did everything he could to help the federal branch of the party. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Kean reportedly then said they should “pap” – apparently meaning paparazzi – Ms Ward to reveal her opinion on Ms Deves’ statements.

Ms Deves ultimately failed to win her seat, losing to incumbent independent Zali Steggall.

According to The Australian, Mr Kean denies the allegations against him and said he did everything he could to help Mr Morrison be re-elected.

Having previously said he thought Ms Deves was not fit for office, Mr Kean was at odds with Mr Morrison and NSW Liberal leader Dominic Perrottet, who had expressed their support for her.