The resignation of Gladys Berejiklian may prove more consequential for national than NSW politics. The biggest loser is Berejiklian but the second-biggest loser is Scott Morrison.
In the politics of Covid-19, Morrison needed Berejiklian. He needed her standing as a national figure, a woman, a Liberal premier of the biggest state, his only real anchor among premiers to combat the deadly Labor troika of Andrews, Palaszczuk and McGowan with their ability to ruin him.
Berejiklian was on the verge of enormous political prestige come February. Imagine the kudos post-Christmas holidays for Gladys if the NSW opening was successful – leading Australia out of lockdown.
But ICAC ended that scenario for the Liberals.
Gladys was the forerunner of the national reopening that is Morrison’s re-election strategy. There is no substitute for her. She had a depth of public support that would have soared in early 2022 if the reopening worked.
Of course, there will be a new premier. Maybe over time a first-rate premier. But that’s over time. The new Liberal premier will take charge of the reopening. Hopefully, it will work. But, despite their real differences, Morrison has lost his NSW trump card.
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