After Matt Keane left, this boy band broke up before releasing its biggest hits

Instead, the redistricting will see the blue-green seat of North Sydney eliminated, with Bradfield absorbing some of its electorate. Kean’s Liberal opponent remains in Fletcher’s turf, with no chance of replacing the former minister. Kean has yet to confirm his next job, but he will work in renewable energy.

Perrott, on the other hand, was destined to enter the corporate world, an obvious next step after becoming prime minister. But he couldn’t ignore the pay issue. The base salary for backbenchers is just over $170,000. With seven children in private schools, Perrott would feel the effects of a pay cut (as prime minister he was paid $416,000, compared to $333,000 as a senior minister).

Colleagues urged Perrottet to stay in Parliament and emulate former Prime Minister John Howard, who took up a part-time job as a lawyer after losing the Opposition Leadership. That left open the possibility of Perrottet returning to the Liberal leadership, but also the possibility of him being criticized for being a part-time MP. That option was rejected.

The exits of Kean and Perrottet will trigger two by-elections in Hornsby and Epping respectively, but they are unlikely to be the last for the Liberals. There are rumours that shadow attorney-general Alister Henskens will resign and return to his old job. He says he is not going anywhere, although his colleagues do not believe he can serve out the term given his low popularity within the party. Another notable retiree is right-wing veteran Anthony Roberts.

NSW Labor would have real fears if the boy band of Perrottet and Kean regrouped. On Tuesday, Kean used his resignation announcement to hit his successor, Mukesh, reminding the government how effective his political satire is.

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“Daniel Mukesh has wrecked the budget,” Keane rants. “He’s left us with a decade of deficits. He’s blaming everybody but himself. I mean, the next excuse we’re going to hear is the dog ate my surplus.”

Labor rolled its eyes collectively, but also breathed a sigh of relief. Keane’s departure and Perrott’s impending resignation are good news for the Minns government. The Liberal Party’s best asset is about to be out of the game.

Alexandra Smith is state politics editor.