Face of Nation : NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says it’s business as usual after three rebel Liberal MPs withdrew a leadership spill motion against her but, as one supporter says of the government’s future, “Who knows what’s going to happen?”
The Liberal MP believes the episode has strengthened Ms Berejiklian’s leadership but says of the rogue MPs: “I can’t predict how maverick individuals will behave if they don’t get their way.”
Adding to the day’s drama, she later announced the Independent Commission Against Corruption would investigate allegations against embattled MP John Sidoti, who stood aside from the ministry. The premier may have survived the past 24 hours but only time will tell just how much her authority has been damaged.
There are still lingering questions about how she has handled the private member’s bill – and the rebel MPs on Monday also raised an upper house “impasse” they said had “slowly ground the government’s legislative agenda to dust”.
The honeymoon following the premier’s election victory, which saw her lauded by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is well and truly over.
That said, she can take comfort in the strong support she’s received from senior colleagues, including Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Attorney-General Mark Speakman, Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean. “Gladys will be leader tomorrow and the day after and for as long as she wants,” Mr Kean said in a tweet.
