O'Farrell set to take over Brogden's job

SYDNEY - Deputy NSW Liberal leader Barry O'Farrell once told journalists they would know he was after the party leadership when he lost his beard and a whole lot of weight.

Today, a clean-shaven and seriously slimmed down Mr O'Farrell is poised to take over the top job following John Brogden's resignation.

Mr Brogden quit today after admitting making a racist remark about the wife of former premier Bob Carr, and propositioning two female journalists at a function in Sydney on July 29.

He vowed to continue serving as the Member for Pittwater and hopes to serve on the frontbench in a future Liberal government.

Moments after Mr Brogden announced his resignation, Mr O'Farrell, who entered parliament in 1995 and has been deputy leader since 1999, declared he had the leadership in his sights.

But the man who served as deputy under former leader Kerry Chikarovski as well as to Mr Brogden, pledged to conduct his leadership bid away from the media spotlight.

"I am standing, I am fighting fit," Mr O'Farrell told reporters.

"But can I say I'm fighting fit for reasons that relate to my health."

Mr O'Farrell, married with two children, said Mr Brogden's hard work as leader had left the Liberals well placed to win the 2007 state election.

In the meantime, he expected a contest for the Liberal leadership.

The opposition's transport spokesman, Peter Debnam, said he was considering a tilt at the top.

"I'm interested," Mr Debnam told AAP from Brisbane.

"I need to talk to my colleagues and see what level of support there is for me."

Mr Debnam, whose electorate covers Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs, is regarded as a solid performer -- with a notable track record in highlighting the government's failure to get Sydney's trains running on time.

Opposition police spokesman Mike Gallacher is said to be an outsider for the job, but he would have to move from the upper house to the lower house.

He could not be reached for comment late today, neither could opposition legal affairs spokesman Andrew Tink.

The party's treasury spokeswoman, Peta Seaton, ruled out running for the top job, telling AAP: "I have no plans to do any such thing."

Opposition whip Daryl Maguire said Liberal MPs would meet at 11am AEST (1300 NZT) on Wednesday to elect a new leader.

He would not speculate on Mr O'Farrell's or Mr Debnam's prospects and could not say how many MPs were likely to stand.

"Anything's possible in politics," Mr Maguire said.

Premier Morris Iemma said Mr O'Farrell was an experienced shadow minister whom he respected.

"He was my shadow for two years; I respect opponents like Mr O'Farrell," Mr Iemma told reporters.

- AAP