Berejiklian formally resigns but Holsworthy byelection still uncertain

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet could be spared a byelection in the marginal seat of Holsworthy,with sitting MP Melanie Gibbons holding off resigning until she secures federal preselection.

Ms Gibbons announced in October that she would resign from her state seat to run for Liberal preselection for the federal seat of Hughes,held by United Australia Party leader Craig Kelly.

Formal resignation:Gladys Berejiklian.

Formal resignation:Gladys Berejiklian.James Alock

However,while the other departing MPs – former premier Gladys Berejiklian,former deputy premier John Barilaro,ex-transport minister Andrew Constance and former NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay – resigned this week,Ms Gibbons did not.

A Liberal source not authorised to speak under party rules said Ms Gibbons would wait to see if her preselection was successful before resigning. If it is not,she will remain in State Parliament.

Holsworthy in Sydney’s south-west is one of the Liberals’ most marginal seats on 3.2 per cent. Some parts of the electorate were under the harshest lockdown measures during the Delta outbreak.

At the time of her resignation announcement,senior Liberals said Ms Gibbons’ decision had surprised party powerbrokers because she did not have the support of local branches in Hughes for preselection.

The Premier and the NSW Labor leader Chris Minns will be under pressure to deliver strong results in the four byelections,which will be held a year out from the next state election.

Labor has not yet revealed its candidate for Strathfield,which it holds by 5 per cent,although a senior party source said an announcement was imminent. The Liberals have preselected Bridget Sak,the mother of one of the victims of the 2020 Oatlands car crash that left four children dead.

In Bega,the Liberal seat where Labor believes it has a chance,long-time South Coast obstetrician,gynaecologist and university lecturer Michael Holland is the ALP candidate.

The Nationals are running Queanbeyan-based journalist and author Nichole Overall in Mr Barilaro’s former seat of Monaro,while Labor will also run a candidate.

Three candidates are contesting Liberal preselection for Ms Berejiklian’s former seat,including Willoughby mayor Gail Giles-Gidney,journalist turned executive Kellie Sloane and Menzies Research Centre executive general manager Tim James.

The Speaker Jonathan O’Dea said the four resignations were effective immediately.

“Details of the byelections for the electoral districts of Bega,Monaro,Strathfield and Willoughby will be announced in the new year,following consultation with the NSW Electoral Commissioner and party leaders,” Mr O’Dea said in a statement on Friday.

“However,the byelections are likely to be held on Saturday,12 February 2022. I would like to thank all four former members for their service to the NSW Parliament and the people of NSW.”

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Alexandra Smith is the State Political Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.

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