NSW in political chaos as Deputy Premier resigns two days after the exit of the Premier.

Just one week from its long-awaited reopening, the beginning of a new era in the coronavirus pandemic, the state of NSW is in political disarray and chaos as it has lost its Premier, Deputy Premier and a senior Cabinet Minister, three veteran Coalition members of parliament in the space of three days.

John Barilaro has announced his resignation this morning (4)  as NSW’s Deputy Premier, and says the State needs a “new beginning”. He said Ms Berejiklian’s exit did not play a role in his resignation”

Mr Barilaro said he had been thinking about his exit “for a long time” and confirmed he would be indefinitely leaving politics.His announcement comes just two days after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigned after after the Independent Commission Against Corruption launched an investigation into whether she awarded money to the electorate of her then-boyfriend Daryl Maguire and day after Transport Minister Andrew Constance confirmed he would leave the NSW Cabinet and quite state politics to enter federal politics.

“Serving as Deputy Premier of NSW, as Leader of the NSW Nationals and as the Member for Monaro has been the honour and privilege of a lifetime.” Mr Barilaro said.He will call a Party Room meeting on Wednesday where he will formally resign as leader of the National Party and call for a ballot for a new leader, before a by-election is called for Monaro.

Mr Barilaro, who represents the seat of Monaro, said the State was now presented with an opportunity “for a refresh”.

“I have been thinking about this for a long time – many of you have been reporting my exit for a while,” he told reporters on Monday.

In a press conference on Monday morning, the NSW Nationals leader revealed that legal action against a “vile and racist” social media attack played a role in his decision to resign and leave parliament.

He said that, it was “unbelievable” that he had defend himself from “vile and racist attacks” in a social media setting.

“A young boy of migrant parents, I grew up, I understood what racism was, I was called many of those names, I didn’t think in 2021 that will continue,” he said.

“That in itself, can I say, was very difficult this year, and to be able to defend myself and continue with that case, I prefer to do it privately and not in the public eye.

On Sunday, Transport Minister Andrew Constance confirmed he would leave the NSW Cabinet and quite state politics to enter federal politics.

Within moments of Ms Berejiklian’s resignation on Friday, a battle for the Liberal Party leadership began.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet was instantly the firm favourite, having spent much of the past year sowing the seeds of his eventual candidacy.

Mr Constance also withdrew his leadership ambition to divert his support to Mr Perrottet, and then received the blessing of Prime Minister Scott Morrison to be the Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Gilmore.

Just a week away from the end of Sydney’s lockdown and the beginning of a new era in the coronavirus pandemic, the focus is firmly on the government’s internal woes instead.

On Sunday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard – who may be moved on from his portfolio – insisted there will be absolutely no changes to the plan under a new leader.

But in stark contrast, when asked, Mr Perrottet wouldn’t rule out any changes.

“I don‘t want to pre-empt the situation we are in at the moment,” he said. “If we are successful, we will work through these issues.” Mr Perrottet said.