politics

The three things Gladys Berejiklian aims to do as Premier of NSW.

On Monday morning just before 10.30am AEST, Gladys Berejiklian was elected unopposed by her colleagues as the 45th Premier of New South Wales and Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party.

The former Treasurer of New South Wales and Minister for Industrial Relations in the second Baird government replaces Mike Baird, who resigned from his role on 19 January. Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet was voted in unanimously as deputy party leader.

The Premier-elect and new deputy Liberal leader held their first press conference at 11.30am, and Berejiklian outlined her three key policy areas; local infrastructure, housing affordability, and a strong economy.

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In terms of infrastructure, Berejiklian said she’s dedicated to “making sure every community gets what it needs.”

“I know what difference it is to a community if a dirt road becomes a bitumen road,” she said. “Under my leadership, every community across the State will be better off and will get its fair share.”

When it comes to housing affordability, she said, “there is so much more to do.”

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"I want to make sure that every average hard working person in this State can aspire to own their own home."

Finally, she passionately discussed how "a strong economy means more jobs."

"It means better services," she elaborated, "and it means putting money where it is needed the most."

Following Baird's retirement from politics, he publicly endorsed Berejiklian as his successor, and said she would make "an outstanding Premier... No doubt about it."

His decision was based on his desire to spend more time with his family, and support his sister and his parents through "serious health challenges".

"My father and my mother and my sister are going through a very serious health challenge and, to be honest, at times I have been in pain not being able to spend the time that I should," he said.

In a statement following Baird's resignation, Berejiklian described her colleague as an "inspiring leader" and "a man of enormous integrity." She added that on a personal note, Baird "has been a great leader and friend," and she was "proud to work with him for six years."

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Berejiklian was elected as the Member for Willoughby in 2003, and served as Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Transport until April 2014, when she was elected Deputy Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party.