Perrottet named New South Wales State's new leader

Australia's most populous state has a new government leader at a crucial time in its battle to contain COVID-19.

New South Wales state Liberal Party lawmakers met on Tuesday and elected Dominic Perrottet as the new premier. The 39-year-old will succeed former Premier Gladys Berejiklian who resigned last week after an anti-corruption watchdog revealed it was investigating her over a secret relationship with a former lawmaker.

Perrottet is the youngest person to be elected as state leader. He told reporters after the vote that it was an "honor and absolute privilege" to be elected. He becomes the 46th person to be state premier.