The crisis-hit NSW state government is facing by-election chaos with up to six MPs tipped to quit their seats this week in the wake of outgoing premier Gladys Berejiklian's exit.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro confirmed on Monday that he's retiring from politics while transport minister Andrew Constance is hoping to swap state for federal politics.
They follow Ms Berejiklian's decision to stand down immediately after ICAC announced their were probing her relationship with ex-MP Daryl Maguire.
Now health minister Brad Hazzard, 70, is said to be ready to pull the pin on his political career after recently hinting at retirement plans.
Crisis-hit NSW state government is facing by-election chaos with up to six MPs tipped to quit their seats this week in the wake of Premier Gladys Berejiklian's exit and her likely replacement by Dominic Perrottet (pictured)
Melanie Gibbons, NSW MP for Holsworthy, is also said to be ready to quit state parliament early to move into federal politics, ahead of a possible general election.
And many believe Rob Stokes, - the only other contender for the NSW Premier's job in the party room vote on Tuesday - may quit if, as expected, he fails in his bid.
The doomsday scenario could see the Coalition fighting six separate by-election battles, with the balance of power in Parliament at stake.
It will put the new premier - almost certain to be dad-of-six Mr Perrottet, 39, with Stuart Ayres, 40, as his deputy - under intense pressure from day one.
Health minister Brad Hazzard, 70, (pictured) is said to be ready to pull the pin on his political career after recently hinting at retirement plans
Even the Willoughby seat of Ms Berejiklian, 51, could be in doubt if voters rebel against the turmoil that saw her quit on the eve of Covid lockdown ending.
Although she held the seat with a convincing 21 per cent margin, powerbrokers fear many of those votes are for her personally after she initially won the seat by just 144 votes in 2003.
Mr Constance holds his Bega seat with a margin of just 6.9 per cent while Ms Gibbons Holsworthy seat has a wafer-thin 3.3 per cent margin.
While Mr Barilaro and Mr Hazzard's seats look secure, the cost of defending all six seats will take a chunk out of the Coalition war chest just before a state election.
Melanie Gibbons, 43, NSW MP for Holsworthy, (pictured) is also said to be ready to quit state parliament early to move into federal politics, ahead of a possible general election
December 4 is being tipped as a Super Saturday for the three confirmed by-elections to run in parallel with the delayed local government elections.
If six seats are up for grabs, losing just two of them could make the process of governing almost impossible without the support of the cross benches.
The Coalition is already running as a minority government and relies on former Liberal MPs John Sidoti - ironically, under investigation by ICAC - and Gareth Ward.
Many believe Rob Stokes, 47 (pictured) - the only other contender for the NSW Premier's job in the party room vote on Tuesday - may quit if, as expected, he fails in his bid
Mr Perrottet spent Monday's public holiday hard at work shoring up the numbers to ensure he gets the top job in the party room when the Premier's job goes to the vote on Tuesday morning.
But he admitted he was disappointed by the resignation of Mr Barilaro, never mind the others predicted to follow.
'I would have preferred him to stay on,' he told the Daily Telegraph.
While the rest of Sydney enjoyed the day off, Mr Perrottet was pictured at his ministerial office in Martin Place on Monday, less than 24 hours before the leadership ballot.
Sporting dark sunglasses, Dominic Perrottet was spotted at his ministerial office in Sydney's Martin Place on Monday
Sporting dark sunglasses, a relaxed Mr Perrottet flashed a grin for photographers as he left his office, showing no signs of stress despite the shock resignation of deputy premier John Barilaro hours earlier.
Long touted as Ms Berejiklian's heir apparent, Mr Perrottet appealed to his Liberal colleagues after striking a deal to make Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres his deputy and promote Environment Minister Matt Kean to treasurer.
He is a member of the Liberal Party's right faction, while Mr Ayres and Mr Kean are from the dominant moderate
