Premier-elect Chris Minns out and about after thumping election victory
Chris Minns has revealed his plans for his first 24-hours as NSW’s new Premier as Dominic Perrottet is silent on who will take over as Liberal leader.
NSW Premier-elect Chris Minns has emerged after Labor’s historic win on Saturday night, stopping for a quick breakfast with his family, before vowing to get immediately stuck into his new job.
At about 11am, Mr Minns arrived at Cafe 959 in Kogarah, opposite St George Hospital, with his wife Anna, and three sons. The family ordered coffees and hot chocolates for the kids.
Mr Minns’ second eldest child Nicholas, asked for a “flat white,” however his dad denied the request.
Speaking to reporters after breakfast, Mr Minns said his government would prioritise policies around essential workers, restoring essential services and preparing legislation to protect Sydney Water from privatisation.
“We’ll be having a leadership meeting this afternoon with senior ministers elect in the coming hours,” he said.
“We need to make sure that we are recruiting and retaining essential workers in our schools and our hospitals and I’ll be speaking with senior members of both of those departments,” he said.
Asked about scrapping the public sector wages cap, Mr Minns said conversations with employees and representatives would be another “urgent priority”.
“We’ll sit down of course with essential workers, as well as their representatives about the next stage forward,” he said.
He said removal of the wages cap will be used with Labor’s other policies around essential services including converting 10,000 temporary teachers into permanent positions, recruiting 500 regional and rural paramedics and ensuring 1 to 3 nurse to patient ratios in emergency departments.
“These are all essential pieces of infrastructure that are necessary to ensure that we’re investing in the human capital of NSW,” he said.
On Saturday night, the Labor Party achieved an early win against the 12-year Coalition government.
A majority Labor government has been forecasted, with the Opposition set to claim at least 47 seats, including Parramatta, Penrith, and East Hills.
In his commission speech, outgoing Premier Dominic Perrottet announced he would be stepping down as the Liberal Party leader, leaving the position vacant.
Asked on Sunday morning who he thought should take on the top job, Mr Perrottet remained coy.
“It’s a matter for the party, they’ll work it out,” he said.
PREMIER IN GOOD SPIRITS DESPITE BLOODBATH
Mr Perrottet was seen leaving his home in Sydney’s north west suburb of Beecroft at about 9.30am this morning alongside retiring Pittwater MP Rob Stokes.
The outgoing Liberal leader said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family and seemed to be in good spirits despite his bruising defeat.
“I’m feeling good,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s going to be great, a lot of time I’ve missed so it’s going to be good to be home.”
Mr Perrottet said he was heading to the office before going for a morning run with Mr Stokes.
With around 55 per cent of the vote counted in Pittwater, Liberal candidate Rory Amon could lose the seat to Teal independent Jacqui Scruby.
Counting will resume on Monday.