DEPUTY LEADERSHIP OF THE NSW LIBERAL PARTY

17 April 2014

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

Despite considerable pressure and encouragement among colleagues and the community to nominate for the position of Deputy Leader, I have decided against nominating.

There was strong and wide support among my Parliamentary colleagues for me to nominate today.

My decision to not proceed to nominate underscores the strength and unity of the NSW Liberals.

I believe Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian will make a terrific leadership team for the NSW Liberal Party and I will be strongly supporting them.

The Coalition will take a strong and united team to the next election that is focused on further strengthening the economy, building infrastructure and delivering for the people of NSW.

I look forward to serving in a strong and balanced Cabinet.

I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to Premier Barry O’Farrell for his great leadership and service to the people of NSW.

I would also like to recognise the contribution of my colleague Jillian Skinner as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, who has today stepped down from the role.