The last years of Berejiklian’s term were marked by skilful handling of major crises. The premier had persuaded enough voters that the government had significant achievements to its credit and was better equipped to deliver more in the future.
The government’s two-party preferred vote was 52% and its primary vote 42% - 9% higher than Labor’s. The result was a triumphant victory for her. While not a flashy or magnetic campaigner, Berejiklian stayed “on message” and came across as sincere and conscientious. Labor leader Michael Daley made opposition to the demolishing and rebuilding of Allianz Stadium the spearhead of his campaign. The economy was performing well compared to other states, the public finances were in the best condition they had been in for a long time, and the infrastructure budget for the next four years was close to $90 billion. In her campaign for the March 2019 election, Berejiklian ran largely on the government’s record. The premier backtracked on the demolition of Homebush but much public resentment remained about Allianz. Public reaction was overwhelmingly negative, a common theme being that it was a gross misuse of public funds to rebuild two stadiums, one only 17-years-old, instead of financing vital community facilities. It was a major miscalculation that would haunt Berejiklian. She announced that both Allianz and Homebush stadiums in Sydney would be simultaneously demolished and rebuilt at an estimated cost of A$2.5 billion. The serpentine politics of Sydney sport and stadiums left Berejiklian wrong-footed at the end of 2017. DAVID MOIR/AAP The serpentine politics of Sydney The premier survived two rounds of threatening by-elections in April 2017, a sign the anti-government feeling that marked the end of Baird’s term had diminished.īerejiklian served as deputy to premier Mike Baird. She showed her political astuteness by quickly dumping the unpopular local government reforms that had been a factor in Baird’s downfall. The premier stabilised the government and showed it still had purpose and dynamism. She had a less outgoing personal style than Baird but succeeded in convincing the voters she was trustworthy, capable and sensitive to their needs. She was treasurer and industrial relations minister in the Baird government.īerejiklian’s time came when Baird resigned in January 2017 - she was elected Premier unopposed in late January 2017.īerejiklian’s policy direction was similar to that of her predecessor, with a strong focus on economics, infrastructure and public sector reform.Īlso like Baird, Berejiklian was a small “l” liberal on social reform. Berejiklian, who was personally close to Baird, withdrew from the contest and was elected deputy leader. However, when O’Farrell resigned after misleading an ICAC inquiry in April 2014, Mike Baird had the numbers in the party room. She was tipped as a possible future premier because of her strong performance. When O’Farrell became premier in 2011, Berejiklian served in the important transport portfolio. She proved to be an energetic, effective shadow transport minister.īerejiklian impressed Liberal leader Barry O’Farrell, who became something of a mentor. After a sojourn in banking, she was elected MP for Collins’ former seat of Willoughby in 2003. She was prominent in the Liberal moderates faction and was president of the Young Liberals. Of Armenian descent, Berejiklian began her career in politics working for former Liberal leader Peter Collins. Energetic, effective and politically astute
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