The woman who was Mike Baird’s main competitor for the New South Wales premiership could win the treasury portfolio after the election with the Liberal party well ahead in the polls.
Gladys Berejiklian, transport minister, has not ruled out pushing for the position as the pair campaigned together on the eve of the election.
Hugging at the entrance of a tunnel for the north west rail link in the Sydney suburb of Cherrybrook before a joint press conference, Berejiklian described Baird as an “awesome” premier.
Asked if she would angle for the role of treasurer Berejiklian would not rule it out.
“I love my job and can I say we still have the biggest fight of our lives tomorrow and the premier and I and the team are working hard in every single seat to make sure we get elected.
“We hope the people of New South Wales will appreciate that it’s only through the premiership of Mike Baird that we can continue to build things, get things done and give people a great future in our great state,” she said.
Baird, who spent the morning at the Pyrmont fish market, skated around the potential backlash in country seats, with big swings expected outside of the city.
“I think it’s a reminder you can never take any electorate for granted, you have to at all times listen to what the community is saying. And you’ve seen it, you’ve seen results in Queensland, incredible swings against the government, so there’s never an election you can say it’s going to happen one way or the other, you have to listen on the ground,” he said.
“The electorate is rightly sceptical of promises which is why we are so determined to deliver on our promises which is what we’ve done.”
Baird has spent the week answering questions about potential Chinese investment in NSW’s electricity network if the Liberal party’s proposed privatisation goes ahead. Baird and treasurer Andrew Constance have met officials from China’s poles and wires operator, State Grid Corporation, and Baird has not ruled out allowing foreign investment.
Labor have used the interest from State Grid, which is facing corruption allegations, as part of its campaign against privatisation and Baird said while it had not damaged relations with the Chinese “directly”, there were concerns in Australia’s Chinese community.
“I’m not too impressed with the campaign, I think that’s the issue, it’s a dishonest scare campaign that’s been pulled out by Labor ... it’s been a tough fight, we were always determined to fight and I think we’ve done well in that fight,” he said.
Asked if he was “feeling the love” after the latest poll put the Coalition 10 percentage points ahead of Labor on a 55% to 45% two-party preferred basis, Baird made an effort not to appear too confident.
“I think we’ll only feel the love if we’re given the tick on Saturday night, this is a proud moment, it’s true, these projects don’t happen by accident ... we’re proud of everything we’ve achieved for the state but obviously we’re still in the fight of our lives,” he said.
“We’re not going to take any vote for granted.”
Polls open at 8am on Saturday.
