Business backs Dominic Perrottet cabinet reshuffle

Leading business and industry groups have lauded the Perrottet government’s cabinet reshuffle.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.

Leading business and industry groups have lauded the Perrottet government’s cabinet reshuffle, citing the creation of signature portfolios dealing with home ownership and urban population centres as pivotal ahead of the upcoming state election.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Deputy Premier Paul Toole promoted nine first-time ministers to their cabinet on Sunday night, with a swearing-in ceremony to take place on Tuesday. The number of people in the cabinet will also be increased from 24 to 26 due to the appointment of new portfolio responsibilities.

Mr Perrottet described the refreshed ministry as one driven by merit-based appointments, which he hoped would lead his government into the 2023 election. He denied an influx of first-time ministers would mean his government was “inexperienced”, saying each promoted MP had already demonstrated strong community engagement and “great success in their parliamentary careers”.

The Property Council of Australia said the appointment of a dedicated Planning and Housing Minister boded well ahead of an election likely to be decided, in part, on housing affordability.

“The Premier has rightly identified housing affordability as a crunch issue and the most powerful lever held by state government is to increase housing supply,” said Property Council NSW executive director Luke Achterstraat.

The NSW Minerals Council was similarly pleased with the reshuffling of portfolios and praised the decision by Mr Toole to retain responsibility for resources in the new ministry. Mr Toole will also hold policing and regional NSW.

“Deputy Premier Toole has a strong track record of standing up for regional NSW and a sound appreciation of the important contribution of the mining sector,” said Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee.

“The next 12 months will be a critical time for the NSW mining sector and for regional NSW.”

But not everyone was pleased with the realignment of portfolios. NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said tinkering with ministerial portfolios was insignificant when the government was being directed by a Premier with a “right-wing economic view”.