Deputy leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party and former treasurer Matt Kean, has ruled out contesting the party's top job after a resounding election loss.
Dominic Perrottet fell on his sword after leading the Coalition to defeat as Labor swept into power on Saturday.
Speaking after a morning jog with retiring colleague Rob Stokes on Sunday, Mr Perrottet reflected on the end of his government.
"I think we've done a great job as a government and I'm really proud of the team I've led," he said.
"We've worked really hard. For a long time."
Recriminations have begun within the Liberals after the party's vote collapsed in key seats, including several electorates in Sydney's west.
Attention has also shifted to who would succeed Mr Perrottet.
Mr Kean had emerged as an early frontrunner for the job but has announced he would not be in the running.
The Hornsby MP, who served as treasurer in the Perrottet government, is one of the Liberals' most prominent figures and became deputy leader last year.
"I have decided not to throw my hat in the ring for the NSW Liberal leadership. I have a young family and I would love to spend a little more time with them. The election result will enable me to do that," he said in a statement.
"Tommy recently turned three and now is the time for me to hang out and be a dad, while also continuing to serve my wonderful Hornsby constituents and the Liberal Party, though not as leader and not as part of the leadership team."
He also thanked Mr Perrottet for "his service to the people of NSW".
It comes after he told Saturday's ABC election panel that being treasurer had been a "really difficult job" as he was also the energy minister.
"This is not an easy portfolio, full of culture wars, vested interests and different viewpoints," he said.
Liberal MP Anthony Roberts has told the ABC he's considering running for the leadership.
He says he's been approached by National and Liberal Party MPs, and will speak to his wife and colleagues before making a decision.
During Saturday's election coverage, former premier Mike Baird and outgoing minister David Elliott both mused that infighting and disorganisation in the party had "let down" Mr Perrottet.
Mr Baird said the outgoing leader had fought the election with "both hands tied behind his back".
Mr Elliott said some of the party's candidates were "picked out of nowhere".
Journalist Jennifer Hewett told the ABC's Insiders this morning she believed Mr Perrottet was hindered by the "various scandals" which engulfed his colleagues.
Former Liberal strategist Tony Barry said the party had strayed from its core values.
"It's difficult to admit you've got an ugly baby, and I think the Liberal party needs to start having that conversation," he said.
The result means there are now no Coalition or Liberal governments in power on mainland Australia.
In NSW, the partyroom is now charged with selecting a new leader as they enter opposition for the first time in 12 years.
Mr Stokes, a former leadership contender himself, was coy when asked who he wanted to take over.
"I've got this wonderful opportunity that I'm going to the great parliament in the sky," he said.
"I reckon every one of my colleagues would do an amazing job. They're all leaders."
Saturday night, Mr Elliott said the party needed to "start the fight tomorrow" to take on Labor, and picking a new leader was the first port of call.
He suggested the incoming Liberal member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, as a left-field option.
"I would have thought the three leading candidates will be Alister Henskens, will be Mark Speakman and of course will be Matt Kean," he said.
"Personally, I would be probably taking to people about putting Kellie Sloane straight into it.
"And say, 'listen you're going to be the opposition leader for a while'. We've got to give a tenure.
"My view is she's got the communication skills, she's got the appeal to be the premier of New South Wales."
