NSW planning Minister Rob Stokes announces tilt to replace fallen Premier Gladys Berejiklian

Planning Minister fires starting gun in race to replace Gladys Berejiklian, revealing ‘vision’ to lead the state out of crisis.

The first contender to formally nominate to replace Gladys Berejiklian as NSW Premier says he has the right “experience, vision and integrity” to lead the state through a crucial period as it starts to reopen.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes is one of a handful of names – alongside Treasurer Dominic Perrottet – seen as most likely to replace Ms Berejiklian, who resigned abruptly on Friday in the face of an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation.

Mr Stokes’ announcement he would be throwing his hat in the ring came after residents left flowers and cards outside Ms Berejiklian’s home and office on Saturday, and the NSW opposition leader admitted he’d still be an underdog “regardless of who the Liberal Premier is”.

One card left outside Ms Berejiklian’s Sydney home on Saturday said it was “heartbreaking”.

“It was absolutely heartbreaking watching you resign as our Premier. You have been the most amazing Premier for our state and for that I wish to thank you,” the note said.

The NSW Premier announced she was stepping down from the role and would exit parliament after the state’s corruption watchdog announced it would be investigating whether she’d breached the public’s trust in the course of her secret relationship with former parliamentary colleague Daryl Maguire.

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes says he has the determination and experience to fill the void left by outgoing premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The Liberal Party caucus will be meeting on Tuesday to vote on her successor, but even as Ms Berejiklian spoke on Friday, speculation was rife as to who would replace her.

Mr Stokes, 46, is seen as one of the top contenders, if the slight the underdog to Mr Perrottet, 39.

However, Mr Stokes on Saturday beat Mr Perrottet to the punch, declaring he had the determination and experience to fill the void left by Ms Berejiklian.

“I have the right balance of experience, vision and integrity needed during this crucial time in our history, as we continue to respond to and recover from the pandemic,” he said.

“I have asked my colleagues for their support, and I am grateful many colleagues have encouraged me to nominate for leader.

“I am blessed to have the support of my family in making this decision and I will continue speaking with my colleagues over the weekend.”

Mr Perrottet was, on Saturday afternoon, yet to confirm his candidacy.

Rob Stokes is widely seen as one of the top contenders, if the slight the underdog to Dominic Perrottet. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres, and Environment Minister Matt Kean have also been touted as leadership candidates, though perhaps outsiders to Mr Perrottet and Stokes.

Ms Berejiklian still faces an ICAC investigation, but her exit from state politics nonetheless drew a sympathetic response from many Australians on Saturday.

Among the wellwishers was celebrity personal trainer Michelle Bridges.

“I’m honestly not a political person. I kinda listen now and again, but most of the time they just have me glazing over,” she posted on Instagram.

“I’m actually really gutted to see this lady go.”

People were leaving flowers and signs of support outside Gladys Berejiklian's office in Northbridge after she resigned as NSW Premier on Friday. Picture by Damian Shaw

Meanwhile, NSW Labor leader Chris Minns on Saturday insisted the departure of Ms Berejiklian would not change his party’s approach to politics, and he stressed it was still a ‘huge ask’ for Labor to end its 12 years in the wilderness at the 2023 poll.

NSW opposition leader Chris Minns says the state needs the Liberal party to choose a new leader urgently. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“Regardless of who the Liberal Premier is, we‘re coming from a long way back,” Mr Minns told journalists in Sydney.

NSW Labor was last in power in 2011 and for a decade has struggled to gain traction against the state Coalition.

Mr Minns on Friday issued a reserved statement that, instead of attacking Ms Berejiklian, praised her service to NSW, especially during the past 15 weeks of the Delta outbreak in Sydney.

On Saturday Mr Minns said he had no idea who the Liberal Party would replace her with, but it needed to be done urgently for the sake of the state.

“It does create a sense of urgency,” he said.

“That’s a funny thing for the Leader of the Opposition to be saying but... the state does require leadership. There are important decisions that need to be made and messages that need to be communicated to the millions of people.”