NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes puts his hand up to take over as Premier
Planning Minister Rob Stokes has put up his hand to replace Gladys Berejiklian as NSW Premier when the party room votes on Tuesday.
9News understands Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has the numbers to win and this afternoon former Prime Minister John Howard threw his support behind the deputy leader.
Mr Stokes earlier announced his intention to contend top job as he paid tribute to his former leader following her shock resignation on Friday in response to an investigation by anti-corruption watchdog ICAC.
ICAC will investigate any “position of conflict” between her professional role and her private relationship with Wagga MP Darryl Maguire, then a member of state parliament.
Mr Stokes has been described as a key ally of Ms Berejiklian.
“Gladys Berejiklian has been an outstanding Premier of NSW. She had led our state through some of the most challenging events in living memory,” Mr Stokes said in a statement.
“The people of NSW know that they could not have elected a more hard-working person to lead our state. When bushfires raged and the pandemic worsened, they placed their trust in Gladys – and she delivered.”
He said his “track record” during his time in office makes him “the best candidate to lead the NSW Government”.
“I also believe the party room should have a choice when selecting its next leader, and I believe I provide that choice,” he said.
“I have the right balance of experience, vision and integrity needed during this crucial time in our history, as we continue to respond to and recover from the pandemic.”
Mr Stokes said he had asked his colleagues for their support.
Howard throws support behind Perrottet
But Mr Perrottet remains the frontrunner to take over the top job, and today won the hefty approval of Mr Howard.
“The resignation of Gladys Berejiklian is a sad event. She was a committed Premier who provided great leadership in responding to the COVID challenge. New South Wales is grieving her departure,” Mr Howard said.
“A number of talented MPs have been suggested as her replacement.
“I hope that Dominic Perrottet becomes the new Liberal leader and the therefore the next premier of NSW. He has the intelligence, experience and commitment to reform that the state needs at this time.”
When Ms Berejiklian ran unopposed for premier in 2017, the conservative faction of the party said it would support her so long as Mr Perrottet was her deputy.
Mr Perrottet has served as Treasurer since 2017, a senior position for a young man. In spite of his experience, Mr Perrottet is 39-years-old.
“I’ll obviously speak to my colleagues and I’m having a chat to my family now and we’ll work it out over the weekend,” he said.
Other candidates lining up
It’s understood that others considering a tilt at the leadership include Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Attorney-General Mark Speakman.
From the moderate faction, Mr Ayres, 40, represents the seat of Penrith in Sydney’s west.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance is said to be weighing up whether to make a run for the leadership or divert to federal politics.
Matt Kean, the Minister for Energy and the Environment, and an ally of Ms Berejiklian, may also throw his hat in the ring.
He describes himself as an “outspoken critic on climate denialism”, and has championed greater action on climate change.
In contention for the deputy position are factional powerbrokers Matt Kean and David Elliott.
