Gladys Berejiklian has thanked the people of NSW for re-electing her government – and for voting for a woman with a long surname to be premier.
While several seats still hang in the balance, Ms Berejiklian said the Liberal Party would concede no seats lost on Saturday evening.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the people of this great state for having confidence in me and my government,” she said after claiming victory in Saturday’s election.
“My team and I will continue to work our guts out to make sure this state and its people continue to ensure that we have the best opportunities on this planet.”
She said her priorities would be to continue to provide a strong budget for the projects, infrastructure and services for the state.
“We will continue to govern for all of us, for all of you,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Ms Berejiklian, whose family migrated to Australia from Armenia, said she was most proud that “no matter what your background … everyone has the chance to be their best”.
“I am most proud of the state of NSW, I’m incredibly proud of the wonderful place in which we live,” she said.
“A state in which someone with a long surname – and a woman – can be the premier of NSW.”
Thousands of Liberal supporters – many chanting “four more years” – and Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former PM John Howard were on hand for the victory celebrations.
The coalition was returned for a third term on Saturday, but it’s still to be determined whether it will be able to govern in its own right or will depend on the three expected independents.
Ms Berejiklian said she would work with the three independents – Wagga Wagga’s Joe McGirr, Sydney’s Alex Greenwich and Port Macquarie’s Greg Piper – regardless of the result.
“Whether or not my government is a majority government or a minority government, we will work closely with the three independents that are elected to the NSW parliament,” she said.
“And that is so important for stability and strength here in NSW.”
Before Ms Berejiklian’s hero’s entrance, Mr Morrison told the crowd her Liberal government was “a great advertisement for the Liberal Party” and promised to celebrate another win in two months time after the federal election.
“Well fellow Liberals, how good is Gladys Berejiklian?” he asked the crowd to loud cheers.
Ms Berejiklian thanked her family, staff, volunteers and party workers for their efforts to return the government.
Her mother and father, Krikor and Arsha, and sisters Rita and Mary, were among those celebrating below the stage.
She also praised Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet for their efforts.
Top Comments
NSW Election:
- Strong Sydney LIB vote
- Poor ALP result
- Poor NAT result
Voters want infrastructure and the NSW LIB have delivered on that front for Sydney. The mass privatisation of assets and continual increasing population of Sydney might hurt them in 2023. But if the NSW ALP don't reform their party they won't pose a threat.
What I find really interesting is that Labor promised massive upgrades to our hospital here in regional NSW and the majority of people would still rather vote Nat's over Labor even though many are sick of being ignored and watching Sydney get all the money, they moan about it all the time but they still voted 69% for the Nat's.
The NAT party have a veneer of being for the country people.
They haven't delivered, and without change nothing will improve.
I thought it very telling in the McCormack/Aly interview where McCormack admitted he could't think of one time the Nats chose farmers over coal interests. How much more evidence do country people need?
Since rural voters don't vote ALP, the ALP don't allocate resources into rural seat campaigning. So it's a vicious cycle.
The upcoming Federal Election will be the litmus test for the NAT party, where I reckon the SFF party and IND candidates will procure votes and win a few seats.
Goodbye TAFE, women's refuges, wildlife habitat, and hello expensive contracts for mates of mates. As for you, Labor, it would've been nice if you;d have shown up in the last four years and been an active opposition party. We may've had a chance.