The NSW government does not face the same threat from independent politicians taking seats, as the Liberals at the federal election, Premier Dominic Perrottet says.
With loyal party MPs retiring and nominations to replace them open, the hunt is on for candidates to help Mr Perrottet win his first election as premier, and deliver a historic fourth term to the Coalition.
He thinks his government does not face the same problems in NSW that spurred the rise of independent candidates at the federal election.
"It was based on policy, and when it comes to integrity, when it comes to women and when it comes to climate, on those key issues the NSW government leads the way," he said.
"We don't see it as a 'climate war', we see it as an economic opportunity," Mr Perrottet said.
"We have more integrity measures in place than any other jurisdiction, by a long way."
"I'm very proud of the policies of the Liberals and Nationals in addressing those issues that the Teals raised at a federal government level," Mr Perrottet said.
One independent already in the NSW upper house disagrees with the premier's assessment.
"I think they're kidding themselves," Justin Field told AAP on Monday.
Grants have been rorted "on an industrial scale" and despite Treasurer Matt Kean claiming he's an environmental champion, 11 new coal and gas projects were approved under his watch, he says.
"The record on environment, on climate, on integrity, I don't think is what Matt Kean and Dominic Perrottet think it is," he said.
Mr Field filled the Greens vacancy in the upper house after John Kaye died in 2016, before becoming an independent in 2019 amid internal party divisions.
While not a candidate for any seat in either house at the March election, he is supporting others.
He says independents can shine light on issues when parties are divided.
"It's a really critical role, it's one of the reasons I'm supporting, in terms of providing my experience and giving some food for thought to those campaigns that are starting to look for candidates on the northern beaches and north shore of Sydney," he said.
He will speak at an event hosted by "Wakehurst's Independent" on Wednesday, an organisation searching for a candidate to contest the seat held by Health Minister Brad Hazzard for more than three decades.
The 'teals' moniker was given as shorthand for independents with a "blue" Liberal background carrying an environmental green tinge at the federal election.
Most of the successful candidates shared similar traits, being professionally accomplished, predominantly white women.
They also ran on similar issues, most notably integrity in politics and action on climate change.
With the exception of Dai Le, who stopped Labor stalwart Kristina Keneally's parachute unfurling in Fowler, independents took seats from the Liberals.
In another world, some of the teal candidates could have been powerful Liberal candidates, and the NSW premier has acknowledged that too.
"I want to see more women putting their hands up for the Liberal Party in the state parliament," Mr Perrottet said on Monday.
"Nominations are open and there's a lot of interest from strong women who want to run and represent their local community."
If he's unsuccessful in March, Mr Perrottet will become the fourth premier to leave office since 2011, while being the first to lose an election.
Ms Keneally, the last Labor premier of NSW, exited under similar circumstances when Barry O'Farrell led the Liberals to their 2011 victory after a 16-year Labor reign.
