Incoming NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has been asked how he will cope with the job given he has six children during his first press conference as leader.
The stunning moment came as Mr Perrottet outlined his vision for the state, following his 39-5 victory in the Liberal Party ballot this morning.
The devout Catholic, a father of six, was asked how he would be able to manage the job as premier given his large family.
Sky News’ Laura Jayes pointed out that a female in his position would be asked that question – and put it on the new leader.
Mr Perrottet pictured with Helen (right), his wife, and six children. ‘What I might lose in time, I gain in perspective,’ Mr Perrottet said when asked about how he would cope as premier with such a large family
‘Well, it is demanding,’ Mr Perrottet responded. ‘I mean, being a father, like being a mother, when you have got family commitments, balancing work and family life is a challenge for every single person right across the state.
‘Ultimately, I think what I might lose in time, I gain in perspective, and everyone has the attributes, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and I am no different to that, but one thing I do know is that I have a very strong team around me.
‘I have a strong family and I have a strong ministerial team who will ensure that our focus is on the people of New South Wales, and that we come out stronger on the other side.’
Mr Perrottet during his first press conference as leader, where he was asked about work-life balance given he has six children
Mr Perrottet emerges from the Liberal Party room after winning this morning’s ballot for premier by 39-5
Mr Perrottet said his family commitments should not disqualify him from the job as he promised to take NSW from ‘good to great’.
‘I think it enriches you,’ he said of his family. ‘It gives you different perspective, and with all the different ministers in the team, I think we set ourselves up to make a real difference to the people of our state.’
During the press conference Mr Perrottet described himself as being ‘the family premier, making life better for working families’.
Presenter Deborah Knight was among those to praise Jayes for asking the question, Tweeting: ‘Good call asking how he’ll manage being Premier with his family demands. Would have been among the first questions if his name was Dominica…’
Mr Perrottet said that as a parent, one of his priorities as premier would be getting kids out of lockdown and back to school, while noting that parenting was a tough job.
‘It’s demanding being a parent,’ he said. ‘It’s a challenge for every, single parent across the state.’
The social conservative was also forced to address his religious views during the press conference.
In 2019, Mr Perrottet voted against a bill to decriminalise abortion, declaring he could not support laws that stopped ‘the beating heart of an unborn child’.
‘I am very proud of the fact that I have a strong Christian faith,’ he said on Tuesday.
‘Does that in any way take away my capacity to serve as Premier?
‘Well, I do not think so, and I think it is a sad thing that some people do, but I think people right across our state, in the main, believe in freedom of religion and freedom of the opportunity to serve in public life regardless of what your ethnic background is what your religious values are.’
Mr Perrottet takes over the top job after Gladys Berejiklian’s dramatic resignation last Friday, with Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres as his deputy.
Environment Minister Matt Kean will take over Mr Perrottet’s role as NSW Treasurer.
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