Dominic Perrottet has been announced as the new NSW Premier, following a leadership ballot by the NSW Liberal Party this morning.
Mr Perrottet’s successful nomination will also see Stuart Ayres become the new deputy of the state, as NSW Deputy John Barilaro quit over the weekend.
“I have decided that it is time to give up the reins to a new leader and resign as Deputy Prime Minister of New South Wales,” Mr Barilaro said.
The appointment of Mr Perrottet follows the shock resignation of Gladys Berejiklian over a corruption probe last week.
While the matters being investigated by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) are historical, Ms Berejiklian said that she had no option but to resign.
“My resignation as could not occur at a worse time, but the timing is completely out of my control, as ICAC has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging times in the state’s history,” Ms Berejiklian said on Friday.
In the days since Ms Berejiklian’s resignation, speculation over whom the next NSW would be dominated social media.
Mr Perrottet quickly emerged as a likely candidate, though some found controversy in the Treasurer’s previous comments around climate change, abortion, former US president Donald Trump and a number of other topics.
Ahead of the announcement, federal health minister Greg Hunt was asked whether he expected the new NSW government to stick to the state’s existing commitments to reopening.
“It will be up to the new to determine this, but all our advice is there’s a clear, broad commitment to the roadmap right across the NSW government,” Mr Hunt said.
ICAC’s role is to investigate alleged corruption & bring suspected cases to a hearing. Their charter precludes them from making political considerations & timings like Berejiklian has suggested, which is something she knows (or should know as Premier) but which she’s conveniently glossed over. Dont recall her saying she’ll be found innocent as part of the investigation into her corruption….
A lot of people that have come out to celebrate Gladys may look very, very silly.
Key word is alleged. ICAC is the biggest load of BS. Innocent to proven guilty or is trial by the media? Imagine if we did this with the courts and people on trial, there would be uproar. But for some it is all to much to take in…
Hopefully Perrottet and Ayres can finally fix up this FASEA mess.
Guessing you are not across the whole state v’s commonwealth divide…..