“Ai Group congratulates Dominic Perrottet on his convincing win in the Liberal leadership ballot to become the next NSW Premier,” Helen Waldron, NSW Head of the peak employer association Ai Group said today.
“As a public advocate of the need to reopen the state quickly Mr Perrottet offers the hope that NSW will remain ahead of the pack as the state emerges from the COVID-19 crisis.
“His appointment offers both consistency in the Government’s broader approach to the COVID exit plan and a strong ambition to get the state’s businesses back to operating at full pelt and to deliver greater freedoms for the community.
“As Treasurer, Mr Perrottet adopted a consultative approach and engaged well with business and employer groups and we expect this to be a hallmark of his Premiership.
“He has also championed a progressive economic agenda both for the state and the country - notably in his backing for the NSW Productivity Commission’s White Paper and for his initiative in commissioning and backing the recommendations of the Thodey Review into Australia’s intergovernmental relations.
“Ai Group also congratulates Stuart Ayres on his election unopposed as the deputy Liberal leader. His current portfolio of Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney puts him at ground zero in delivering the COVID recovery plan.
“We reiterate our thanks to Gladys Berejiklian for her leadership in moving NSW forward and managing the state’s response to the pandemic as the culmination of her long and productive political career.
“Her success in handling the State’s COVID response has contributed both to world-leading health outcomes and an economy that has proved itself ready to bounce back as restrictions are removed. Ms Berejiklian was a key member of National Cabinet and was an important advocate of the need to balance health, education, economic, social and community impacts of COVID restrictions. We thank her for her service,” Ms Waldron said.
Media enquiries
Tony Melville – 0419 190 347
