Dominic Perrottet denies teal threat is behind NSW ministers’ bid to move to lower house

Pollster and federal independent both say the Liberal government should be concerned about shift towards teals

• Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast

The New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, has denied his party is mounting a coordinated defence against teal independents by installing high profile Liberal women as candidates in at-risk seats.

Two female upper house ministers have announced their hope to run in the lower house, including the metropolitan roads minister, Natalie Ward, who on Tuesday announced her intention to run in Davidson.