Premier of New South Wales | |
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Department of Premier and Cabinet | |
Style | The Honourable |
Appointer | Governor of New South Wales |
Term length | At the Governor's pleasure |
Inaugural holder | Stuart Donaldson |
Formation | 6 June 1856 |
The Premier of New South Wales is the head of government in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Government of New South Wales follows the Westminster system, with a Parliament of New South Wales acting as the legislature. The Premier is appointed by the Governor of New South Wales, and by modern convention holds office by virtue of his or her ability to command the support of a majority of members of the lower house of Parliament, the Legislative Assembly.
Prior to Federation in 1901 the term "Prime Minister of New South Wales" was used, "Premier" was used from 1901.
The current Premier is Gladys Berejiklian, the Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party, who assumed office on 23 January 2017. Berejiklian replaced Mike Baird on 23 January 2017, after Baird resigned as Premier.
As of January 2017, nine former Premiers are alive, the oldest being Barrie Unsworth (1986-1988, born 1934). The most recent premier to die was Tom Lewis on 25 April 2016.