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| Premiership of Gladys Berejiklian | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gladys Berejiklian |
| Office | Premier of New South Wales |
| Term start | 2017 |
| Term end | 2021 |
| Predecessor | Mike Baird |
| Successor | Dominic Perrottet |
| Party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Birth date | 1970 |
| Birth place | Sydney |
Premiership of Gladys Berejiklian
Gladys Berejiklian served as Premier of New South Wales from 2017 to 2021, leading a Liberal Party of Australia ministry in coalition with the National Party of Australia. Her term intersected with major events including infrastructure debates, fiscal reforms, and the global COVID-19 pandemic (2020–21), and concluded amid scrutiny from the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Berejiklian rose through the Liberal Party of Australia ranks after serving in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Willoughby and holding ministerial roles in the cabinets of Barry O'Farrell and Mike Baird. She succeeded Mike Baird following a leadership contest influenced by factions within the NSW Division, endorsements from figures such as Dominic Perrottet and challenges from members aligned with former premiers. Her ascent followed policy debates involving the Sydney Light Rail, the WestConnex project, and tensions with the Australian Labor Party opposition led by figures including Michael Daley.
Berejiklian's cabinet included senior ministers from the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia coalition, featuring portfolio leads such as Brad Hazzard, Dominic Perrottet, Rob Stokes, Pru Goward, and Damien Tudehope. The ministry balanced representatives from metropolitan electorates like Willoughby and regional seats including Tamworth and Port Macquarie. The composition reflected factional arrangements involving the Moderate faction of the Liberal Party and the Conservative faction of the Liberal Party, and interactions with institutional bodies like the New South Wales Legislative Council and the Governor of New South Wales.
Key initiatives under Berejiklian included commitments to the WestConnex motorway, expansion of the Sydney Metro program, and reforms to public administration influenced by the Public Service Association of NSW and budget priorities set with the Treasury of New South Wales. Social policy actions intersected with advocacy from groups such as Australian Council of Social Service and debates involving the Anti-Discrimination Board of New South Wales. Her government advanced legislation touching on sectors regulated by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal and negotiated outcomes with stakeholders including the Australian Education Union and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.
Infrastructure was a hallmark of Berejiklian's term, with major projects like WestConnex, the Sydney Metro Northwest, the Sydney Metro City & Southwest, and road upgrades across the Pacific Highway. The administration worked with agencies such as Transport for NSW, Infrastructure NSW, and contractors including Lendlease and CPB Contractors. Projects intersected with heritage concerns involving the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and environmental reviews by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
Berejiklian's government pursued fiscal strategies during economic cycles overseen by the Treasury of New South Wales and influenced by national institutions like the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Commonwealth Treasury. Budget measures included spending reviews, asset strategies debated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and rating implications monitored by agencies such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service. Taxation and fee adjustments affected sectors represented by the Business Council of Australia and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry NSW.
The Berejiklian premiership encompassed management of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–21). The response involved coordination with the NSW Health network, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, and federal bodies including the Department of Health (Australia). Measures included public health orders enforced in conjunction with the New South Wales Police Force, the roll-out of vaccine programs linked to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, and economic support initiatives interacting with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and state relief programs for sectors such as hospitality associations and tourism bodies.
Berejiklian's tenure was marked by controversies including debates over the handling of procurement, transparency in decisions around projects like WestConnex and the Sydney Light Rail, and tensions with unions such as the Transport Workers Union of Australia. Investigations and scrutiny involved the Independent Commission Against Corruption regarding alleged breaches of public sector conduct and entanglements with individual MPs and donors associated with federal figures and state fundraising networks. Media coverage by outlets including Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, and The Daily Telegraph scrutinized relationships with colleagues and business figures.
In 2021 Berejiklian resigned amid an ICAC inquiry, triggering a leadership transition that saw Dominic Perrottet succeed her as Premier following internal ballots within the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division). Her resignation prompted responses from political actors including Anthony Albanese of the Australian Labor Party and commentary by former premiers such as Barry O'Farrell. Subsequent legal and political developments involved continued ICAC processes, reflections from civic bodies like the Law Council of Australia, and debates in the New South Wales Parliament over governance, ministerial standards, and party reform.