NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro hailed Adrian Piccoli as "the best Education Minister the state has ever had" on Sunday, despite dumping him in a cabinet reshuffle that tries to reset several vote-losing issues for the Nationals leader and for new Premier, Glady Berejikilian.
The reshuffle creates a ministry for counter-terrorism - which Ms Berjiklian said was a direct response to security concerns expressed by voters - and also a ministry for WestConnex, allowing more cabinet time to be devoted to the contentious $17 billion Sydney road project.
Mr Barilaro denied Mr Piccoli, who spent six years as Minister for Education, had been punished for his support of former NSW Nationals leader Troy Grant, or for his embrace of the Gonski education reforms, which at times saw him clash with his federal Coalition counterparts.
At a press conference alongside Ms Berejiklian in Queanbeyan within his seat of Monaro, Mr Barilaro said it was "simply time for a refresh and a reset" with Robert Stokes swapping planning for education at the cabinet's swearing-in on Monday. Planning will be taken over by former energy minister Anthony Roberts.
Ms Berejiklian defended the decisions to shift Mr Stokes, who has extensive experience in the planning portfolio, as well as long-time Minister for Health Gillian Skinner, who will leave Parliament after being replaced by Brad Hazzard.
"When I was in Transport people used to say to me, 'you're doing such a great job, how could they ever move you on?' - you might disagree - but I think it's important that people with experience in one role bring the benefit of that experience to another role," Ms Berejiklian said.
The Premier also used the phrase "refresh and reset" to justify the replacement of Duncan Gay with the promotion to cabinet of Melinda Pavey in the Roads portfolio.
Two other women have been promoted to cabinet in the reshuffle: Sarah Mitchell, a Nationals legislative council member who becomes minister for early childhood education and Aboriginal affairs; and Tanya Davies, the member for Mulgoa, who will take on the portfolios of mental health, women and ageing.
The ministry for Westconnex will be the responsibility of Stuart Ayres, who is also Minister for Western Sydney.
"So many people in western Sydney spend way too much time in their cars, worrying about when they will get home to see their family. We want to make sure we get Westconnex right and it's appropriate that the Minister for Western Sydney owns the delivery of that project," she said.
Meanwhile, deputy Liberal leader Domenic Perottet has replaced Ms Berejiklian as NSW Treasurer. His finance portfolio will be taken up Victor Dominello, previously the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation.
Mr Dominello's promotion to the senior ministry gives him a seat on the expenditure review committee, which he told The Australian Financial Review would allow him to continue his drive for more innovative delivery of services in NSW, centred around smartphones.,
