JBOD congratulates new NSW Premier
Dominic Perrottet will succeed Gladys Berejiklian as NSW Premier after an emphatic win during a Liberal party room vote.
Dominic Perrottet
The 39-year-old from the right faction beat Planning Minister and moderate Rob Stokes in the ballot at NSW Parliament on Tuesday, Government Whip Adam Crouch confirmed.
There were 39 votes for the treasurer and five for Mr Stokes.
“It’s an honour and absolute privilege to be elected as the parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party, the Premier of New South Wales,” Mr Perrottet said after the vote.
“I appreciate the trust my colleagues have put in me today.”
Thhe president of The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies Lesli Berger told J-Wire: “We congratulate the newly elected Premier and Leader of the NSW Liberal Party Dominic Perrottet, and Deputy NSW Liberal Leader Stuart Ayres, and look forward to maintaining our strong working relationship with both in their new positions.
Perrottet, in his previous position as NSW Treasurer, recently announced the funding of over $6 million for the Sydney Jewish Museum to assist with its expansion, creating a vital link to ensure the Holocaust is always remembered by future generations.
As some who grew up, lives and works in Western Sydney, Ayres has long been a champion for both Western Sydney, and multicultural communities across NSW and we congratulate him on his new position.”
The devout Catholic and father-of-six will become the 46th person to be NSW premier and the youngest ever to take on the state’s top job.
Mr Stokes said he stood against his colleague to give the party’s a choice.
“They have chosen emphatically, democracy is the winner,” he said.
“Dominic Perrottet will be a magnificent premier and he has my undivided loyalty and support.
“I will use every ounce of strength in my body to make sure that he is re-elected as premier in New South Wales when we go to the polls in 2023.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard exited the meeting saying he welcomed Mr Perrottet’s ascension.
“He’ll do a great job looking after the people of New South Wales,” he said.
Long touted as the premier-in-waiting, Mr Perrottet struck a deal with his moderate colleagues to make Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres his deputy and promote Environment Minister Matt Kean to treasurer.
Mr Ayres’ elevation was unopposed, ahead of an expected ministerial reshuffle by Mr Perrottet in the days to come.
Ms Berejiklian quit on Friday after the state’s corruption watchdog disclosed she was being investigated for potential breaches of public trust during her secret five-year relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.
Ms Berejiklian did not attend the vote.
Mr Stokes, 47, offered himself as a more experienced alternative to Mr Perrottet, with the MP for Pittwater on Sydney’s northern beaches, arguing he was the party’s best shot at winning the 2023 election.
But Mr Perrottet, whose Epping electorate is in Sydney’s northwest, played up his credentials working alongside Ms Berejiklian as deputy leader.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had worked with Mr Perrottet on the NSW economy as they dealt with “the very difficult challenges we have had with COVID”.
“When we disagree, we disagree. The next day we get back to work. That is how normal people get on with each other when they know each other well. And we do,” he told Seven Network on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the NSW Nationals are preparing for their own leadership contest.
The NSW government will have an entirely fresh leadership team by Wednesday after Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro announced he too would quit parliament.
Paul Toole and Adam Marshall are expected to join Melinda Pavey in a three-way race to fill his position.
AAP/J-Wire
