Former NSW Treasurer Matt Kean rejects calls to run for Liberal Party leadership

A high-profile NSW Liberal frontbencher says he doesn’t want the party leadership after the Coalition was was swept from office.

A NSW Liberal frontbencher has revealed he doesn’t want the party leadership after the Coalition Government was swept from office on Saturday night.

Matt Kean, the outgoing Treasurer and Energy Minister, issued a statement on Sunday saying he will not throw his hat in the ring for the position.

“I have a young family and I would love to spend a little more time with them,” he said.

“The election result will enable me to do that ... while also continuing to serve by wonderful Hornsby constituents and the Liberal Party.

“I want to thank Dominic Perrottet for his service to the people of NSW. I will continue to work hard for Hornsby everyday.”

Outgoing Treasurer Matt Kean has rejected suggestions he should run for the Liberal leadership in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Mr Kean had been considered a frontrunner for the top job.

Earlier, Alister Henskens, the outgoing Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, gave the insight during an appearance on Sky News on Sunday morning.

“There’s going to be a whole lot of discussions that will be made between colleagues and then there are a whole lot of seats that are still undecided on much more interested in scrutineering and helping people get over the line in terms of their results than then talking about leadership,” Mr Henskens said.

“There will be something that will happen will happen in the party room behind closed doors in the appropriate way.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens spoke out about his plans after the election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

Mr Henskens went on to say the Liberal Party must reconfigure its priorities before it prepares to enter Opposition in NSW for the first time in more than a decade.

“I think what we need is a proper analysis of what we could have done better. And I just don’t think that we have the hard data to be able to make judgments like that,” he said.

“And so that the party needs to be a party which can appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, because that’s what’s necessary in order to form government.”

Mr Henskens would likely face competition from Deputy Leader Matt Kean if he runs for leadership.

It comes after Dominic Perrottet delivered a sombre speech at the Liberal’s major party function shortly after privately calling Mr Minns to concede defeat.

“As leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party, I take full responsibility for the loss this evening … We need a fresh start for the Liberal Party,” he said.

“I want to thank the community of Epping and recognise they continue support and thank you very much for supporting me at this election.”

He heaped praise on Mr Minns for keeping the election campaign from becoming “ugly”.

Liberals leader Dominic Perrottet conceded defeat on Saturday night. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Monique Harmer

“The great people of NSW have tonight decided to elect a Labor government into this state, and that is a decision that we respect. I particularly tonight want to acknowledge the Leader of the Opposition. Elections can get ugly, but I believe this election are truly was a race to the top. A genuine battle of ideas, and that is when politics is at its best,” he said amid cheers in the room.

“In many ways, that is due to Chris Minns and of the way that he has carried himself throughout this campaign. And that is why I truly believe and have no doubt that he will make a fine 47th Premier of NSW.

“I believe he will lead with the same decency of the same integrity that he has led with so far. And ultimately, I ask everybody across New South Wales, whatever your political persuasion, to get behind him.”.

Mr Perrottet said he was proud of what the Liberal government had achieved and it had “made history” as the longest serving government.

Highlights from the government’s time in power include three more metros, a second airport opening soon, five days of free preschool for children and abolishing stamp duty for first homeowners as well as tackling gambling, Mr Perrottet added.

The Liberals clinched just 27 seats in Saturday’s election, a dismal result compared to the 47 needed to form a majority government.

Originally published as Former NSW Treasurer Matt Kean rejects calls to run for Liberal Party leadership