Gladys Berejiklian will replace Mike Baird as NSW Premier

Gladys Berejiklian has been unanimously elected as the 45th Premier of New South Wales. Her election came unopposed.

With her election, Berejiklian becomes the first Liberal female NSW premier and second woman to hold the position. She will be sworn into her new role at Monday afternoon’s ceremony.

In the 10-minute meeting that saw her election, Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet was also voted as deputy party leader. "This morning, the New South Wales parliamentary Liberal Party has just met where Premier Mike Baird has resigned as leader and Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian resigned as deputy leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party,” Government whip Chris Patterson announced following the meeting.

With a 14-year career backing her, Berejiklian has progressed steadily in the world of politics. In 2003, she was elected as a member of the Sydney north shore electorate of Willoughby. With her election, she will achieve the feat of being the first female Coalition premier and second for the state following Kristina Keneally.

As reported by AAP (via Herald Sun), certain initiatives introduced by Mike Baird will likely be reconsidered by Berejiklian – including forced council amalgamations. Baird stepped down from the leadership role in a surprise resignation on Thursday. He cited ongoing health issues faced by his parents and sister as his reason for bowing out.

Writing for the Guardian, Keneally spoke about Berejiklian’s progress, describing the latter as an “experienced political operator” and someone who “knows the gender dynamics of the world she occupies.” Keneally added, “I am confident she knows exactly what it means to be a woman in the NSW bearpit.”

Speaking with 2GB, Berejiklian said, “I want everyone in NSW to feel that they can do what I've done, that there's no challenge too big and that our state has those opportunities.” As he was leaving the meeting, Baird said it had been an honour serving as premier. "Words can't describe my gratitude. I will always reflect on it as a special time," he said.