NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Roads Minister Natalie Ward.Credit:James Brickwood
The minister was beaten by former Mike Baird staffer Matt Cross,who was pressured to pull out of the contest to make way for Ward,only to garner the majority of local branch support.
Perrottet on Tuesday borrowed a line from a Mexican food advertisement when asked about Ward’s loss,and the implications on the party,which is trying to attract more female representation.
“Natalie remains in the upper house,she remains a strong contributor to the team. As they say in the Old El Paso ads ‘porque no los dos?’,‘why not both?’ That’s exactly what we have,” Perrottet said.
“Natalie is a leading light,she’s a future leader of the Liberal Party,and she’ll continue to make a strong contribution.”
The minister for roads as well as women’s safety still has four years of her upper house term remaining.
Ward’s loss in the Davidson preselection battle means there will be no vacancy for Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons in the upper house,who also failed in her preselection this month.