It was an extraordinary volte-face after he wrotean article in 2018 criticising Labor’s support on this exact change as a “lavish exercise in trendy virtue signalling”.
Some complained of his hypocrisy and a cynical vote-grab from teal seats. But there were other examples of the premier progressing from previously held positions and softening his erstwhile aggressive conservatism.
Independent MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich – who comes from a diametrically opposite position on the political spectrum – recently described Perrottet as a premier willing to reflect,listen and grow. Greenwich threatened to withdraw supply to Perrottet’s minority government when the premier echoed concerns expressed by the controversial Liberal federal candidate Katherine Deves about trans people’s participation in women’s sport.
“Within days,the premier met me and nine trans and sporting advocates to learn about the tough reality of their lived experience,”Greenwich told me,adding that he was impressed.
Given the threat,this move was,perhaps,just as strategic. But like the most mature leaders,perhaps the youngest-ever premier of NSW was learning that you campaign in poetry,but you govern in prose.
Labor leader Chris Minns’ failure to appeal to progressive voters often softened Perrottet’s conservatism by juxtaposition.
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Minns’ active opposition to voluntary assisted dying put him offside with Labor’s heartland progressives,his own constituents (only 16 per cent of Kogarah constituents oppose VAD) and his state (only 11 per cent of NSW residents oppose it).
Although Perrottet also voted against Greenwich’s voluntary assisted dying bill,the MP for Sydney said the premier’s commitment to democracy was shown by allowing a conscience vote,and being respectful and generous with parliamentary time dedicated to debating the bill.
On pokie reform,Perrottet is taking on the juggernaut vested commercial interests you’d expect Labor to,while they dither and lose more progressives. Cashless gaming card advocateTim Costello feels “grief that a Labor leader won’t stand up to protect those who are vulnerable and to protect the community”.
Whilst factional opponents,Perrottet’s cabinet nonetheless includes Matt Kean,a man who delivered the moderate votes that saw him become premier. Kean is one of the most pro-climate change action Liberal politicians Australia has seen. Perrottet’s own tacit support for renewables is another area on which he has matured and progressed,having once described climate change measures asa “gratuitous waste” of taxpayers’ money.
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On female representation in politics,the premier alsostuck his neck out by striking a deal on an upper house ticket that would add two extra women to parliament at the March state election.
As treasurer during a new wave of COVID infections,he also pushed the federal government to reinstate one of the biggest ever emergency welfare payments for Sydney residents:JobKeeper.
Of course,it’s perverse to portray someone who voted against the decriminalisation of abortion as some empathetic reformist.
But the record shows,if we’re to judge him solely by his actions in office,not his ill-advised past mistakes,Perrottet isn’t just less conservative than feared;he’s borderline progressive. For a Liberal,anyway.
Gary Nunn is a contributor to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
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