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The pending electionof dumped minister John Ajaka as President of the NSW upper house has upset some senior Liberals, amid claims it is a "slap in the face" to the Legislative Council.

When Premier GladysBerejiklian unveiled her new cabinet on Monday, she also announced a list of parliamentary office holders.

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Deputy Premier Jonh Barliaro's 15-month-old daughter rolls on the ground during the swearing in of their new minister by the Governor of NSW, David Hurley.

First on that list was dumped former minister for multiculturalism and disability servicesJohn Ajaka, who was described as President of the Legislative Council (elect).

The announcement followed the appointment of current upper house President, Don Harwin a leader of MsBerejiklian'sleft faction who was instrumental in securing her election as leader as Minister for Energy and Utilities and the Arts.

However, the president who receivesa salary of $287,515, the same as a junior minister must be elected by the entire Legislative Council. A vote of Liberal upper house members to decide their nomination will be held during a party room meeting scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Ms Berejiklian's announcement pre-empted both votes.

A senior Liberal source said the decision was "a slap in the face from the executive to the house" and was part of a broader factional deal involving the final shape of Ms Berejiklian's cabinet and the North Shore by-election.

"The party won't oppose the choice of president because [Ms Berejiklian] has made it clear and they don't want to undermine her authority, which is already threadbare," the source said.

"But Idon't think the house will look kindly on it".

Another Liberal source confirmed there was widespread disquiet within the Liberal upper house party room over the circumstancesof Mr Ajaka's pending appointment because the usual processes had been pre-empted.

The senior Liberal source said Ms Berejiklian had needed to "lock in" Mr Ajaka as presidentas part of a deal between the left and centre right factions to ensure the centre right's Ray Williams was the 23rd cabinet spot.

Mr Williams replacedMr Ajakain the multiculturalism and disability services portfolios.

The source also alleged the deal extended to the centre right supporting the left's favoured candidate for the North Shore byelection likely to be Felicity Wilsonover the right's candidate, potentially Tim James.

However, a centre right source said "there was no deal".

Asked why she pre-empted the votes of the party room and the upper house with her announcement and if it was part of a factional deal, Ms Berejiklian said: "John Ajaka will make an excellent President of the Legislative Council."

Ms Berejiklian has repeatedly denied Liberal party factional chiefs have had any part in shaping her first cabinet, insisting all appointments have been made purely on merit.

Mr Ajaka declined to comment.

See the original post here:
'Slap in the face': appointment of new upper house president upsets Liberals - The Sydney Morning Herald