Public outrage after new Premier questioned over marital status

Only an hour into her new role as Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian was already faced with questions about being single and childless.

Ms Berejiklian was giving her first press conference as state Liberal leader when asked whether there was a political disadvantage in not having children.

"The obvious question is do you think this is a disadvantage politically because people have kids and they have families and people identify with that,” the reporter said.

Gladys Berejiklian has been questioned over her marital status. Photo: AAP

"Take me as you see me," the 46-year-old responded, brushing the question off with a joke.

"Dominic Perrottet has made up for me, he has four kids," she said of her newly-elected deputy.

Ms Berejiklian noted she had been in politics for a long time and was prepared for whatever came her way.

"Not all of us can plan how our life turns out. I am a very happy person. If you asked me 20 years ago would my life look like this? It probably wouldn’t be how it looks like. But I am grateful for the opportunities I have had,” she said.

"I also want to say again, not because I have to, but because I want to, the closest people in my life are my family. I am not going to judge anybody on their personal circumstances. I am here to govern for everybody and I hope that people judge me on my merits and what I can do."

Ms Berejiklian was sworn in as New South Wales Premier at Government House on Monday. Photo: AAP

The question was quickly slammed as "narrow" and "backward minded" by outraged Twitter users.

"This is outrageous. It's 2017 everyone, stop asking women politicians questions you would never ask a male politician," Verity Firth wrote.

"It is NEVER OK to ask a woman why she hasn't had children, no matter who she is," Helen Murti agreed.

"What's next? Running commentary on clothes, hair and make up? Where are the real journalists?" Cheryl McArthur commented.

Mike Baird waves to the media after he tendered his resignation. Photo: AAP

Meanwhile, former NSW Labor premier Kristina Keneally said she had no advice for Ms Berejiklian but urged the media to restrain reporting on her shoes, hair and dress.

She described Ms Berejiklian as an experienced political operator who understood the gender dynamics of NSW politics.

"I am confident she knows exactly what it means to be a woman in the NSW bearpit," Ms Keneally wrote in The Guardian on Monday.