Dominic Perrottet pick of Michael Coutts-Trotter for policy … and politics

Dominic Perrottet might be ­regarded as an archetypal Liberal conservative, but in a crisis he has been known to turn to an unlikely source of political guidance: Labor.

‘He’s a terrific husband and loving dad’: Tanya Plibersek with husband Michael Coutts-Trotter. Picture: AAP

Dominic Perrottet might be ­regarded as an archetypal conservative from the right wing of the Liberal Party, but in a crisis he has been known to turn to an unlikely source of political guidance: Labor.

Paul Keating is one of the Premier’s trusted political mentors, but that is not his only link to the other side of politics; a year ago he picked John Robertson, the former NSW Labor leader, to refresh the scandal-ridden insurance agency known as iCare, which had become a liability for the Berejiklian government.

Now, Mr Perrottet has pressed forward with a significant leap along this off-beat path, appointing Michael Coutts-Trotter, husband of Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek, as secretary the Department of Premier and Cabinet, a decision that will place him at the centre of the Perrottet government’s strategic decision making.

This, observers point out, may help to shield the newly elected Premier from Labor attacks over the next 18 months, as the 2023 election approaches, given that critical decisions will be accompanied by a signature from Mr Coutts-Trotter, a man regarded as Labor Party royalty.

It is perhaps little surprise, then, that NSW Labor declined to comment on his appointment when approached by this newspaper on Friday, although one MP praised the decision and ­described Mr Coutts-Trotter as a “very good public servant and ­decent human”.

Another MP – Ms Plibersek – strongly agreed with that sentiment. “He’s a terrific husband and loving dad to our three kids,” she told The Weekend Australian. “And over the more than 30 years I’ve known him, I’ve seen the ­decency and diligence he brings to his work, and the respectful way he treats everyone he meets.”

Kiama MP Gareth Ward, a former families minister, described Mr Perrottet’s appointment as “strategic and political genius” that would blunt the ­effect of Labor attacks. Mr Ward, as minister, worked closely with Mr Coutts-Trotter in his former role as secretary of Communities and Justice, which ended on Friday.

“Michael Coutts-Trotter has both EQ and IQ. It didn’t matter if he was speaking with foster carers about the daily challenges they face, or hammering out a budget with hard-nosed treasury officials about complex, targeted early ­intervention programs for ­families.”

Mr Coutts-Trotter delivered most memorably, Mr Ward said, in areas focused on reducing the number of children in out-of-home care and the youth justice system. In an email to staff sent this week, Mr Coutts-Trotter ­described his time in the justice sector as one that had given his life “greater purpose and meaning”.

“It’s a wrench to leave,” he wrote. “I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met, and all that I’ve learned and experienced. This is a great organisation, chock full of driven, capable and caring people. I know you’ll go from strength to strength.”

One official familiar with Mr Perrottet’s appointment insisted politics played no role in the decision. They said Mr Perrottet had witnessed Mr Coutts-Trotter at budget estimates hearings, and at meetings of the government’s ­expenditure review committee – where ministers and secretaries vie for budget allocations – and these were likely to have cemented his impressions.

But Mr Coutts-Trotter is by no means without his critics. NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham chided the 56-year-old in parliament over a letter he distributed to staff last year highlighting, among other things, the role of white male power structures in the workplace. The letter was distributed on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

“We all deserve the freedom to be ourselves at work and to feel that we belong,” Mr Coutts-Trotter wrote. “That isn’t really a problem if you are a straight white man, especially one with a position of authority. So much about the workplace and society at large was shaped by and for people like me, who fit that profile.”

Mr Latham told parliament these sentiments had caused some male staff members to contact him in relation to the memo. He suggest it was also ironic that Mr Coutts-Trotter – a man whose exposure to drug addiction, rehabilitation and prison have all been well-documented – could be considered a recipient of privilege. Claims of a progressive agenda ­infiltrating the bureaucracy have trailed other departmental secretaries, among them Jim Betts, the man appointed by Gladys Berejiklian in July to lead the Department of Premier and Cabinet cluster, and who was switched out with Mr Coutts-Trotter following her sudden resignation.

In a blunt message to staff this week, Mr Betts said he had been “fired” and would not “conceal the reality” of his termination ­behind “weasel words”.

He used his final staff memo to express pride in the work the ­Department of Planning, Industry and Environment had achieved towards reconciliation with First Nations people.

This included acknowledging the “reality of the genocide inflicted upon them and the injustice which continues to span generations: the attempt to cancel their language and culture, the taking of their land and of their children”.

One official who spoke to The Weekend Australian said the ­decision to replace Mr Betts came down to a question of merit and not, they said, any concerns about a progressive agenda. For Dom, it’s about who is the best person for the role,” the official said. “Leaders are looking for talent. They’re not blinded by ideology.”