Elliott is set to take on Treasurer Matt Kean in the contest for the role after the former trade minister over his potential involvement in the John Barilaro trade job fiasco.
Transport Minister David Elliott is seeking to become deputy Liberal leader in NSW.Brook Mitchell
Skills and Science Minister Alister Henskens and Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward are also contenders for the position,which will be decided in a party room vote next Tuesday.
The transport and veterans affair minister - who is also one of the government’s most outspoken ministers - on Thursday said he was “very sad to see” that Ayres had to stand down in the circumstances and was only reluctantly offering to take his place.
“He’s been a superior servant to the party,he’s a great member for Penrith,and he’s been a wonderful minister for Western Sydney ... It’s one of those occasions where I don’t put my name forward,or I don’t canvass support,out of excitement or enthusiasm,” Elliott said on radio station2GB on Thursday morning.
NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres has resigned from cabinet and as deputy Liberal leader over the John Barilaro job scandal.
“The premier’s under the pump at the moment. The easiest thing for people to do at the moment,I think,is to walk away or to keep their head down because,you know,the premier is dealing with a number of difficult issues.
“But that’s just not my style. If a mate needs a hand,I’m putting mine up to give him that assistance.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet’s government since Barilaro was appointed to a plum $500,000-a-year trade posting in late June. Perrottet lost two ministers to scandal this week alone:,as well as Ayres.
When asked if he had the numbers to challenge Kean,Elliott said he did not know. He previously told colleagues he would nominate against Kean,but will not run if there are more than two candidates.
The former New South Wales trade minister Stuart Ayres departs his property in Mulgoa.Sam Mooy
“I’ve been around politics long enough ... and I’ve seen I’ve seen victories snatched out of the jaws of defeat and vice versa,” Elliott told2GB.
“It’s really up to the party as to what their priorities are.”
He said some colleagues would think his skill set was necessary for the times,while others might regard him as too outspoken.
“But that’s the beauty of democracy. And I think that’s the way that the Liberal party should move forward.”
Kean had been the frontrunner to become deputy leader last year,when Perrottet became premier following Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation. However,last-minute negotiations helped Ayres secure the job over his moderate colleague.
Both Elliott and Henskens have received additional portfolios following Ayres’ resignation.
Henskens will become minister for enterprise,investment and trade,as well as sport. Elliott will take on the western Sydney portfolio,while Arts Minister Ben Franklin will also take on tourism.
Our Breaking News Alertwillnotify you of significant breaking news when it happens.Get it here.