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Fairfax Media
The New South Wales Parliament is not known as the "bear pit" for nothing.
Gladys Berejiklian has announced she is "ready for anything" as she rises to become the state's 45th Premier and first female Liberal leader.
"I am confident she knows exactly what it means to be a woman in the NSW bearpit" - @KKeneally on @GladysB https://t.co/LDTGjHYFQj
— Monique Ross (@rossmonique) January 23, 2017
The now outgoing Treasurer and Liberal moderate stood unopposed on Monday morning to succeed Mike Baird at a meeting of the state Liberal partyroom.
Berejiklian will become the state's first Liberal female Premier and, after Labor's Kristina Keneally, the second woman to hold the office.
Berejiklian walked out of the partyroom meeting beaming, with Baird by her side.
Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet, a Liberal right faction member, becomes Deputy Liberal Leader and will become Deputy Premier and is expected to become Treasurer.
"I am looking forward to the challenges. I know it won't be easy," she told reporters in Sydney.
"I am excited by the prospect of taking our State to the next level and making sure every community feels part of the success we have built for six years as a Government."
She said her policy priorities as Premier would be:
- local infrastructure;
- housing affordability;
- and building a strong economy, with an emphasis on more jobs.
Gladys Berejiklian elected NSW Liberal leader, to be sworn in as premier https://t.co/EdxkA9Y85e via @smh @dailyliberal
— Jennifer Hoar (@JenniferHoar) January 22, 2017
After a few probing questions on her private life, Berejiklian declared, "I have been in public life for a long time. I have been a senior minister for six years."
"I am ready for anything."
Gladys Berejiklian: The hard-working but private NSW Premier-elect https://t.co/iqA1DPIi5y pic.twitter.com/4iLYqKD5DU
— Andrew Griffits (@andrewgriffits) January 23, 2017
Asked about she winds down - her predecessor Baird was known for his surfing - Berejiklian was tentative.
"To be frank, I love reading, watching movies," she said. "I am an average golf player, but I know I don't have more time for that in my life.
"I am pretty much a regular girl who likes to do regular things."
Berejiklian says she wants everyone in NSW to do what she has done, that no challenge is too big (go from not speaking English to Premier)
— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) January 22, 2017
Berejiklian is regarded as socially progressive, including support for same sex marriage and - in a test for her relationship with the Turnbull Government - for the Labor initiated Gonski education funding reforms.
"I know what a public education can do for somebody," she said in her first press conference as Premier.
"If I didn't have access to that education, I wouldn't be standing before you here today."
Where does Gladys Berejiklian stand on NSW's big issues? https://t.co/7DOIvzqcNX via @ABCNews
— Lindy Kerin (@lindykerin) January 22, 2017
The daughter of Armenian migrants, a boilermaker and a nurse, was born in Sydney but could not speak English up until the age of 5.
"I want every person in New South Wales, no matter where they live, to feel that they have the choices and the opportunities to be their best," she said.
"That is certainly what I have done."
Berejiklian, who couldn't speak English when she started school, pays tribute to her teachers. pic.twitter.com/BhtIjRCvrq
— Rashida Yosufzai (@Rashidajourno) January 23, 2017
With waiting media alongside and amid congratulations from the public, Berejiklian - a former long-time Transport Minister - caught the bus to work.
Gladys Berejiklian catches the bus to work on her first day as premier. https://t.co/Oh6UQZKbFe
— smh.com.au (@smh) January 22, 2017
Former Premier Keneally has offered advice, not so much to Berejiklian, but to the media covering her ascendancy as a female politician.
"Resist the urge to write about – or read about – their shoes, hair, nail polish or jewellery." she writes in the Guardian.
Should Gladys Berejiklian be steeling herself for an onslaught of sexism? https://t.co/7s2EkMZtLF via @DailyLifeAU
— Penny Wolf (@Pinajoe56) January 23, 2017
"They will wear the same dress twice, just like male politicians wear the same suit over and over. Deal with it.
"I am confident she knows exactly what it means to be a woman in the NSW bearpit."
Fascinating insight on the appointment of @GladysB by @KKeneally and it might not be what you think https://t.co/25YGZGMh41
— Elizabeth Rex (@LizRex2013) January 23, 2017
Baird made a surprise resignation announcement last Thursday halfway through the parliament's term and is expected to leave politics as soon as possible.
He has quickly deleted his twitter account, despite being known as a master of social media.
Casino Mike Baird deleted his twitter account. It was always going to be bombarded with harsh criticism.#CasinoMike #KeepSydneyOpen #NSWpol
— Obi-Wan Kenobi (@SirBenKenobi) January 23, 2017
Family health problems weighed heavily on Baird, but he was also tacking wavering popularity over political backfires such as banning greyhound racing and night-time lockout laws.
Gladys Berejiklian says her government will "listen to communities not just at elections but between elections" #nswpol #TenNews
— Catalina Florez (@florezcata) January 23, 2017
Berejiklian is standing by the decisions she took as Baird's deputy.
"I take full responsibility and I want to. We have been a great Government," she told reporters in Sydney.
"We have made sure that our State, going from the worst economic position in the nation, having the worst Budget position is now the strongest."
As a fellow woman in politics it's fantastic to see Premier Berejiklian up there. And no, it doesnt matter whether she has kids or not!!
— Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) January 23, 2017
"That means more jobs, better services and more infrastructure. We have made sure, we have turned the State around in every single way."
A swearing in ceremony will be held later Monday and a Cabinet reshuffle is now on the cards.
