POLITICAL factionalism in Australia is usually associated with the ALP. But the Liberal Party, too, has its factions.
The Coalition, by definition, is a conservative force, and Gladys Berejiklian as premier ran what most observers would describe as a conservative government.
But Ms Berejiklian came from the party's left-wing group, the moderates. Her successor, Dominic Perrottet is a member of the right-wing, conservative faction.
At 39, he becomes the state's youngest premier, by a year.
He entered parliament in 2011 as MP for Castle Hill, moving to Hawkesbury in 2015 and Epping in 2019.
A lot has been made of Mr Perrottet's strong Catholic beliefs.
He voted against the 2019 Bill that decriminalised abortion in NSW, but has said he will allow Liberal colleagues a conscience vote on an assisted dying bill co-sponsored by Lake Macquarie Independent, Greg Piper.
LEADERSHIP CONTENDER: Melinda Pavey will contest the ballot for National Party leadership and the deputy premier's role. She is seen here at Belmont Wastewater Treatment Plant in October 2019. Picture by Simone De Peak.
In his younger years, Mr Perrottet was regarded as a protege of an ultra-conservative Liberal MP, David Clarke, who spoke at length of his religious beliefs in parliament. There is nothing unusual about churchgoing politicians.
Indeed, at a time when fewer than one in five Australians identify as regular churchgoers, our politics, across the spectrum, appears replete with believers.
Regardless, Mr Perrottet has convinced voters in three electorates to support him, and history shows the electorate judges most governments on their stewardship of the economy.
He has also risen rapidly through the government's ranks, and became Ms Berejiklian's presumptive successor when appointed treasurer in 2017.
COVID, of course, has dominated politics since the start of last year and Mr Perrottet's first job will be to ensure the leadership change does not derail the state's momentum.
Critics can be quick to decry "personality politics" but leadership is more important than ever in times of trouble.
COALITION SHAKEUP:
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Perrottet says he'll be a 'family' premier
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Although Ms Berejiklian's approval ratings had waned, her critics still accorded her a grudging respect, and Mr Perrottet will be pressured to maintain the daily COVID conferences.
Labor will be rattling some of the policy skeletons in the new premier's closet, as Swansea MP Yasmin Catley makes clear today.
For most voters, though, the important thing will be seeing the ship of state steered back to some form of post-COVID economic and social normality.
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