Dominic Perrottet NSW premier is grilled by Leigh Sales on 7.30 about Gladys scandal

Dominic Perrottet has been grilled by firebrand reporter Leigh Sales during his first major sit-down interview since becoming NSW premier.

The leader was questioned about everything from the state’s Covid cases to his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian and her secret five year relationship with a rogue MP. 

Asked whether Ms Berejiklian should have disclosed her relationship with Daryl McGuire to colleagues, the father-of-six refused to answer – simply stating the investigation was ‘ongoing’.

But his answer didn’t satisfy the ABC 7.30 star, who replied: ‘Sorry, Premier, you are the leader of the government though and you would have standards that you expect from your ministers.

‘If you had somebody on your team that was engaged in a relationship like that, would you expect it to be disclosed?’

The leader was questioned about everything from the state’s Covid cases to his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian and her secret five year relationship with rogue MP Daryl Maguire (pictured together) 

Thinking on his feet, Mr Perrottet said he ‘was not sure’.   

‘The premier’s made previous comments in relation to the fact that she did not believe that the relationship was of a sufficient standard that would meet the disclosure of interest requirements for government in those meetings such as the Expenditure Review Committee,’ he went on to say.

‘But you know, I haven’t obviously discussed the matter with the former premier because we are not entitled to speak about those matters that are currently before the ICAC.’ 

The ABC presenter then probed whether the state leader would move to ‘clip the wings’ of the anti-corruption body after the third Liberal Party premier was forced to stand down due under a cloud. 

Mr Perrottet initially denied the rumours but then said it’s possible there could be some reforms. 

Pictured: ABC reporter Leigh Sales

Pictured: NSW premier Dominic Perrottet

Dominic Perrottet (right) has been grilled by firebrand reporter Leigh Sales (left) during his first major sit-down interview since becoming NSW premier

‘No. I mean, I think the integrity agency has an important role in ensuring corruption is out of public life,’ he said.

‘But that doesn’t mean from time-to-time reforms to every part of the government here in New South Wales shouldn’t be looked at.

‘But if there are ways in which we can strengthen independent oversight, in whatever area it is, I think that’s a positive thing.’ 

As he started to appear more confident up against the TV titan, Sales brought up his atrocious record as finance minister, and the disastrous workers compensation scheme he set up called icare. 

‘People say that the best indicator of future performance is past performance…. Last year it was found to have lost more than $3billion as well as cutting benefits to thousands of injured workers,’ she said.

‘You declined to be interviewed for a review into it. 

‘If that’s an indication of your competence and your preparedness to be accountable, how well does it bode for your performance as premier?’ 

He acknowledged the implementation of the scheme ‘could have been better’. 

Sales brought up Mr Perrottet's (pictured getting a haircut on Freedom Day) atrocious record as finance minister, and the disastrous workers compensation scheme he set up called icare

Sales brought up Mr Perrottet’s (pictured getting a haircut on Freedom Day) atrocious record as finance minister, and the disastrous workers compensation scheme he set up called icare

Mr Perrottet's (pictured pulling a beer on Freedom Day) icare scheme lost $3billion and also cut benefits to thousands of injured workers.

Mr Perrottet’s (pictured pulling a beer on Freedom Day) icare scheme lost $3billion and also cut benefits to thousands of injured workers.

The Premier (pictured drinking a beer on Freedom Day) acknowledged the implementation of the scheme 'could have been better'

The Premier (pictured drinking a beer on Freedom Day) acknowledged the implementation of the scheme ‘could have been better’

‘Now when you are setting up state-owned corporations or in this case a public financial corporation, there will obviously be cultural changes and mistakes were clearly made but I do believe the reform was right,’ Mr Perrottet said. 

But there were some brighter moments for the newly-minted premier, who remains squarely focused on leading NSW’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis and the gruelling four-month lockdown which fully vaccinated residents finally emerged from this week.

There were just 444 cases on Wednesday, down from 1600 daily infectious at the height of the outbreak in September.

The state is expected to smash its 80 per cent vaccination target by Sunday, paving the way for even more restrictions to ease. 

When asked if cases are expected to ‘go through the roof’ in the weeks following the re-opening, Mr Perrottet said the government is still preparing for a significant spike but are confident healthcare systems will be be able to cope. 

The premier is expected Covid cases to rise in the weeks following the reopen. Pictured: Drag queen Dakota Fann'ee hosts a drag trivia night at the Imperial Erskineville bar on October 13

The premier is expected Covid cases to rise in the weeks following the reopen. Pictured: Drag queen Dakota Fann’ee hosts a drag trivia night at the Imperial Erskineville bar on October 13

There were just 444 cases on Wednesday, down from 1600 daily infectious at the height of the outbreak in September. Pictured: George Street in Sydney on October 12

There were just 444 cases on Wednesday, down from 1600 daily infectious at the height of the outbreak in September. Pictured: George Street in Sydney on October 12

NSW  is expected to smash its 80 per cent vaccination target by Sunday, paving the way for even more restrictions to ease. Pictured: The Queen Victoria Building in Sydney on October 12

NSW  is expected to smash its 80 per cent vaccination target by Sunday, paving the way for even more restrictions to ease. Pictured: The Queen Victoria Building in Sydney on October 12

‘Based on the advice we have received from NSW Health, we believe that there will naturally be an increase in case numbers and hospitalisations as mobility increases across the state,’ he said.

‘But we think in terms of the success that we have had on the vaccination rate, it’s been incredibly pleasing to see the efforts of so many people across our state going out and getting vaccinated, that that’s really going to help us in relation to hospitalisations, and ICU presentations.’

The premier said NSW is a ‘long way from home’ and still faces substantial challenges when it comes to the pandemic.

‘But we are opening up in a well measured and conservative way that will ensure people are kept safe, but ultimately as well, we keep people in working and get businesses open,’ he said.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk