Sex-text minister Matt Kean counselled by NSW Premier

Gladys Berejiklian has chastised Matt Kean after he was outed for sending sexually explicit messages to a fellow Liberal state MP.

Matt Kean MP, NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has chastised Innovation Minister Matt Kean after he was outed by his ex-girlfriend, a staffer with Malcolm Turnbull, for sending sexually explicit text messages to a fellow Liberal state MP.

Ms Berejiklian, who is in the US with the Prime Minister, said she was disappointed in Mr Kean and had “told him so” after details of texts from Mr Kean to Liberal MP Eleni Petinos — in which he asked her for sex — were made public.

Ms Petinos yesterday denied allegations of a sexual relationship with Mr Kean as Ms Berejiklian stood by him, declaring the issue “a personal matter”. Mr Kean said he was “deeply sorry” his two-year relationship with senior prime ministerial adviser Caitlin Keage had ended in “such a spectacular and sad fashion”.

Ms Petinos said she was “saddened” to have been “drawn into this relationship breakdown”.

“It pains me to be making a statement about matters which are outside the scope of my work and are entirely personal,” Ms Petinos said.

Acting Prime Minister Mat­hias Cormann said Ms Keage was “under a fair amount of personal stress” and had taken leave.

OLIVIA CAISLEY