Gladys Berejiklian finally reveals decision on running for federal parliament

After weeks of speculation, former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed she will not contest the federal election.

Gladys Berejiklian has announced that she will not run for the Liberal Party in the federal seat of Warringah at next year’s election.

The move brings weeks of speculation to an end over whether the former NSW premier would enter federal politics – despite the corruption cloud over her September exit from the state’s top job.

“I’m looking forward to a much less public life. I won’t be contesting the federal seat of Warringah or any other seat for that matter,” she told 2GB radio’s Ben Fordham.

“I’m going in a different direction and I’m looking forward to the opportunities that next year brings.”

Ms Berejiklian resigned as premier when NSW’s anti-corruption body, ICAC, revealed it was investigating whether she had breached the public’s trust or had a conflict of interest during her relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

It is also considering whether she failed in her duty to report suspected corruption, and whether she encouraged that sort of behaviour by turning a blind eye.

Ms Berejiklian has denied any wrongdoing and ICAC is yet to hand down its findings on the matter.

After weeks of speculation, former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian is expected to announce she will not contest the federal election. Picture: Toby Zerna

The ongoing investigation didn’t stop, however, the likes of former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, and current PM Scott Morrison, from supporting her potential bid to run.

It was also reported some Liberals believe Ms Berejiklian is their only chance at winning Warringah back.

Ms Berejiklian said she was “really grateful” to the PM and her other colleagues who “really asked me to consider this”.

“It wasn’t something that I intended do but out of respect for those people, I gave it some thought, but decided against it. It’s not something that I want to do,” she added.

“The PM and other colleagues that urged me to run were extremely understanding and very patient, and obviously accepted what I told them, and all of us moved forward.”

Mr Abbott told the Sydney Morning Herald he’d like to see Ms Berejiklian remain in public life.

“Gladys did a fine job as premier and was by far the best of them at resisting virus panic and calls for lockdowns,” he told the paper on Monday.

“We certainly need more people in Canberra with an instinct for freedom and a feel for small business and it would be good to keep Gladys in our public life.”

Former prime minister Tony Abbott endorsed Ms Berejiklian’s run. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikasvia NCA NewsWire

Mr Howard told The Daily Telegraph he would “of course support her running if she chose to do so”.

But, while the PM said he would “welcome” Ms Berejiklian’s pivot to federal politics, he moved to water down the rumours at a press conference on Wednesday.

“I think she was an outstanding Premier … she has been one of the strong female leaders in our country, and so the way that I think that she has more to offer Australia in that regard, of course I do,” Mr Morrison told reporters.

“If she wished to put herself forward, then of course, I would welcome that … but that’s a decision for Gladys, and she may choose not to go ahead here, I suspect.

“But that’s a matter for her and I respect her choice.”

Mr Morrison is said to have delayed the preselection deadline in order for Ms Berejiklian to consider the offer – which would have her up against Independent MP Zali Steggall in a bid to reclaim Mr Abbott’s old seat.

Scott Morrison said he was disappointed Ms Berejiklian wasn’t going to run. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

In another statement on Thursday, Mr Morrison said he was disappointed by Ms Berejiklian’s decision not to pursue the northern beaches seat.

“As much as I and other senior leaders in the party like John Howard, Tony Abbott and Bruce Baird would welcome her entry back into public life, we also respect her choices about the direction she would now like to take in her life,” he wrote.

“After the events of the last few months I completely understand and respect why Gladys would want to go in a different direction post-politics.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to talk these issues through with Gladys as we go back a long way.

“I am always going to seek to recruit great women to serve in our federal Liberal team.”

Originally published as Gladys Berejiklian finally reveals decision on running for federal parliament