Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hinted that outgoing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian could make a run for federal politics.
Asked whether Ms Berejiklian may make the switch, Mr Morrison told Sunrise on Tuesday that she ‘has a lot more to contribute, I know that’.
But the PM also acknowledged Ms Berejiklian has ‘issues’ to work through – in what is no doubt a reference to the investigation underway by the corruption watchdog.
‘I join with the many thousands if not millions of people from New South Wales who are very sad that she has had to step down,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘We have a proper selection process in our party, and there are many different ways, they don’t necessarily need to be in the Parliament.’
Ms Berejiklian announced her shock resignation on Friday after the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced it was probing her relationship with ‘dodgy’ Daryl Maguire.
Mr Morrison made similar remarks on the Kyle and Jackie O show earlier this morning, saying Ms Berejiklian has ‘a lot left in her to give’.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) hinted to Sunrise and radio show Kyle and Jackie O, outgoing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian could make a run for federal parliament
‘She is amazing and she has showed so much strength and character to push through all of this, dealing with all those issues while making sure NSW was not only safe but the economy moving forward,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘But she has got to deal with the issues she currently has and she has got a lot left in her to give, and I know she has enormous capability.
‘We would be happy to work with her with her on whatever she would like to do next, whether that is in the parliament or she might like to serve’.
The PM also touched on his bust up with soon-to-be NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in August, after the pair clashed over Covid-19 financial support.
Mr Morrison also touched on his bust-up with soon to be premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured), claiming it is part of a working relationship
Mr Morrison was said to have used the F-bomb towards the NSW Treasurer in a private meeting about negotiations to upgrade payments for locked down workers across Sydney.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a ‘tired and cranky’ PM felt he was undermined by the Mr Perrottet, who went public about his plans to reinstate JobKeeper.
‘He has done a very good job as treasurer, and delivered much needed support, keeping people in jobs together with Gladys has been bringing NSW out of these lockdowns,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘He and I have worked together for a long time, and look you know that is part of any relationship when you are working together from time to time.
The Prime Minister hailed the former NSW Premier as ‘amazing’ claiming she has shown immense strength through her resignation (pictured, Scott Morrison middle and Gladys Berejiklian right)
‘We were talking through some issues to do with support and the point is, we got it right’.
Scott Morrison also hailed NSW for its efforts in following the national plan, which will see restrictions eased when the state hits 70% of the population fully vaccinated.
‘NSW has been one of the key champions of the national plan and they are following the plan I set out in June-July,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘It won’t be long now NSW where Australians can travel overseas again and Australians can come home when they are double vaccinated.’
According to the Today Show, if elected Dominic Perrottet’s first act will be to ease Covid restrictions early, bringing Freedom Day forward from Monday October 11 to Friday October 8.
After Prime Minister Scott Morrison hailed NSW for its efforts to get vaccinated, Dominic Perrottet’s (pictured) first move in parliament is said to be to bring freedom day forward
‘The information I’ve got is he will seriously consider bringing forward Freedom Day for NSW to this Friday,’ Nine News political reporter Chris O’Keefe revealed.
‘So instead of waiting until Monday 11, pubs will open, you’ll be allowed to have people over to your home this Friday.’
The rescheduling will mean residents could return to pubs, meet in groups of 20 outdoors and have five visitors to their homes in just a few days time.
The reporter told host Karl Stefanovic the soon-to-be Premier would be formalising the decision with the state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant this week.