‘Forever grateful’: Dr Kerry Chant, Brad Hazzard’s parting message to Gladys Berejiklian

When asked the inevitable at today’s daily update the NSW chief health officer didn’t hold back sharing her thoughts on Gladys Berejiklian.

Fronting the media in the first press conference since Gladys Berejiklian’s bombshell resignation on Friday, it was no surprise that chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant and Health Minister Brad Hazzard were confronted with questions about the outgoing premier.

Both had avoided such an event on Saturday when the daily presser was replaced with a Facebook livesteam by NSW Health official Dr Jeremy McAnulty announcing the case numbers.

Not today, however, with both rocking up at 11am to deliver the daily numbers, which continue to decline.

But the elephant in the room for Dr Chant and Mr Hazzard was who was missing – Ms Berejiklian.

Both Dr Chant and Mr Hazzard were forthcoming in their praise for Ms Berejiklian. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone.

When asked about the outgoing NSW premier, Dr Chant maintained it wasn’t “appropriate” for her to comment. Nonetheless she shared generous praise of Ms Berejiklian’s work ethic and commitment to NSW.

“The Premier has worked tirelessly since the pandemic commenced through this most difficult time and I think her clear commitment to the community is so evident,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s really appropriate for me to go into any further issues but just to recognise how hard and how committed the Premier has been.”

Dr Chant complimented the outgoing premier for her dedication and work ethic in guiding NSW through the pandemic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone.

‘Sad it’s come to this situation’

Mr Hazzard spoke highly of his Premier, calling Ms Berejiklian a “person of integrity”. That’s despite her being under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

“I think we are as a community forever grateful to Gladys Berejiklian,” said Mr Hazzard.

“I think she has been an amazing premier and a person of high integrity.

“It’s just awfully sad it’s come to this situation.”

“I feel so sad that the Premier is not going to be the Premier after Tuesday,” Mr Hazzard continued, when probed by reporters.

“She has done a job which has been unbelievable but at the end of the day, she would be the first person to say that our government must continue to govern for the community.”

This comes as Ms Berejiklian shockingly announced her resignation as premier of NSW on Friday afternoon. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

On Friday, the ICAC said it would be investigating the Premier over a potential breach in public interest during her “close personal relationship” with disgraced Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

In question is a series of grants awarded to community grants during 2012 and 2018 and whether she was “liable to allow or encourage the occurrence of corrupt conduct by Mr Maguire”.

Ms Berejiklian will officially step down from her role on Tuesday, October 5 during a Liberal party room which will also reveal her successor.

Currently Planning Minister Rob Stokes is the only candidate to officially announce his interest, however NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is also expected to run.