NSW is having a bit of a wild time of it in politics right now. Gladys Berejiklian stepped down as the state’s Premier amid an ICAC investigation into whether she breached public trust.
“I’ve had to make an extremely difficult decision overnight, one I feel obliged to do because of the love and respect I have are the people of New South Wales and the high regard with which I have the office of Premier,” she said in her press conference.
“I was advised late afternoon the Independent Commission Against Corruption would today released a public statement in which it was state it is investigating allegations about me concerning matters relating to the former Member for Wagga Wagga.”
Now it looks like NSW has found her replacement: Treasurer Dominic Perrottet seems to be the chosen one, having announced his run for the prized position over the weekend.
“I know that this is a time of challenge in our state but I have complete hope and optimism that NSW is in a very good place,” he said, as per the ABC.
Yet a fair few are already noting, shall we say, less savoury things about Perrottet. He’s already been endorsed by former PM John Howard, who told Sky News, “I do think his background, his experience as Treasurer and, very importantly, his commitment to economic reform means he is the best person to take over the helm.”
Perrottet rejected the lockdown extension back in July and honestly NSW’s COVID rates would probably have been much worse if he had gotten his way. He’s also allegedly a Donald Trump stan, posting a positive message about the former U.S. President in a social media post.
A cursory glance around social media has exposed a huge anti-Perrottet narrative emerging. Take a look at some of the best reactions to the planned appointment of Perrottet as NSW Premier below.
https://twitter.com/chaserinterns/status/1444555140900347905?s=21
Set up by New South Wales treasurer, Dominic Perrottet, in 2015 to replace the old WorkCover scheme after it had racked up $4bn in debt, icare has faced increasing scrutiny after it was found to be mismanaged and on the verge of collapse. We seem to have forgotten this.
— margo694 👣🦘👁️ (@margo694) October 1, 2021
As you all no doubt know, Dominic Perrottet has been one of the hand breaks on covid restrictions in the NSW cabinet, fighting tooth and nail not to lock down, is opposed to saving thousands of lives. I really hope for everyone’s sake he’s not put in charge of NSW’s covid crisis.
— Victoria Fielding (@DrVicFielding) October 1, 2021
Just discovered I am older than Dominic Perrottet and now off to casually stare unblinkingly into the middle distance for several years
— Benjamin Law 羅旭能 (@mrbenjaminlaw) October 3, 2021
God help NSW if the Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet, replaces Gladys. He's a god-bothering, right wing nutter.
— Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01) October 1, 2021
Holy cow batman! Just looked up the Dominic Perrottet dude, he is only 39 but has 6 kids? SIX!! 🤯
However could he give the people of NSW the focus they deserve as Premier when he also has 6 children to raise? 🤔#QuestionIfWasAWoman 😏 https://t.co/4vlloyU6Aa
— Noely ⚡️🏐 (@YaThinkN) October 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/mckinnon_a/status/1443822033473720321?s=21
