Gladys Berejiklian called to help Liberals in Wentworth and North Sydney ahead of federal election

Gladys Berejiklian is set to make a return to politics with the former NSW premier to help the Liberal party save key seats in the upcoming federal election.

Ms Berejiklian has been approached by senior figures of her former party and asked to publicly throw her support behind candidates in their electorates.

Dave Sharma for Wentworth, Trent Zimmerman for North Sydney and the yet-to-be-elected candidate in Warringah are among the Liberal MPs that will be receiving her support. 

The cry for help comes as Ms Berejiklian’s popularity soars and the Liberal party prepares for a tense federal election with Labor maintaining a massive lead in the latest Newspoll.

Labor’s favourability was illustrated by the state election in South Australia on Saturday, which saw Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas trump Liberal first-term premier Steven Marshall.

Dave Sharma (pictured) for Wentworth, Trent Zimmerman for North Sydney and the yet-to-be-elected candidate in Warringah are among the Liberal MPs that will be receiving her support

Ms Berejiklian appears to be more popular than ever with her approval rating higher than it was during her peak as premier.

‘She’s particularly respected by women,’ a senior Liberal told Daily Telegraph.

‘We need her involved,’ another source added. ‘She’s our best asset.’ 

Prime minister Scott Morrison has reportedly been asked to keep his distance with some party sources calling his presence ‘toxic’. 

Labor leader Anthony Albanese is now on par with Mr Morrison as preferred prime minister with the latest Newspoll revealing that voters remain discontent with the federal government.

Labor continues to lead the two-party preferred vote 55 to 45 per cent against the coalition, and leads on the primary vote 41 to 35 per cent.

Both leaders are now level as preferred prime minister on 42 per cent after Mr Albanese increased two points, with 16 per cent remaining uncommitted ahead of the upcoming federal election, expected in May.

But the prime minister is becoming less popular, with his approval rating dropping two points to 41 per cent, while maintaining a disapproval rating of 55 per cent.

This is compared with 44 per cent for Mr Albanese’s approval rating, and 42 per cent disapproval rating. 

With counting of pre-poll votes to start in South Australia, Labor looks set to hold at least 25 of the 47 House of Assembly seats and remains a chance to win two or three more.

Ms Berejiklian appears to be more popular than ever with her approval rating higher than it was during her peak as premier (pictured, Trent Zimmerman is set to receive help as he defends his seat in North Sydney)

Labor’s favourability was illustrated by the state election in South Australia on Saturday, which saw Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas (right) trump Liberal first-term premier Steven Marshall (left)

The Liberals should retain 15 seats while four or possibly five will be held by independents.

Five of Labor’s new MPs are women, reflecting what modern Labor looks like, the new premier said on Sunday.

Once in office, Mr Malinauskas will need to turn his hand to picking a ministry with most, if not all, of those on his frontbench in opposition expected to retain their positions.

A Liberal partyroom meeting is also likely to be held soon to choose the new opposition leader after Mr Marshall announced he would not continue in the role.

In a statement, he said that after more than nine years as leader of the Liberal Parliamentary Party it was time for someone else to take charge.

‘I will step down as leader as soon as the party room is able to meet to elect my successor,’ he said.

Once in office, Mr Malinauskas will need to turn his hand to picking a ministry with most, if not all, of those on his frontbench in opposition expected to retain their positions 

‘I thank all my past and current colleagues for their support over the past nine years and will do all I can to assist the new leader to succeed.’

The outgoing premier said while he was disappointed with the election result, he took full responsibility and accepted the will of the people.

He said he intended to continue as the member for Dunstan but was locked in a tight battle with his Labor opponent Cressida O’Hanlon to retain the seat.

Ms O’Hanlon had a small lead with about 55 per cent of the vote counted, but pre-poll and postal votes were expected to favour Mr Marshall.