“I think the Hunter has enormous potential,” Ms Berejiklian told the Mercury.

“My appointment demonstrates how important the government treats the Hunter.”

Her appointment was announced after the deposition of Maitland MP Robyn Parker and Upper Hunter MP George Souris from the cabinet.

“Even though I wasn’t born and bred in the Hunter, I have a close affiliation with the area,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I can’t even put a number on the times I have come up to the Hunter, whether it be for upgrades to [train] stations or working on the Hunter Expressway with [Roads Minister] Duncan Gay.”

Ms Berejiklian has come under scrutiny in recent months for the ­government’s decision to truncate the Hunter line at Wickham, which has met with disapproval from Maitland commuters.

Trams will replace the heavy line so that some of Newcastle’s waterfront can be redeveloped.

“You balance it by making sure you have exceptionally smooth ­transition from one service to the other,” Ms Berejiklian said. 

“I appreciate the challenges people have demonstrated to me.

“But when the light rail is up and running, people will see what a ­fantastic thing it is.”

Ms Berejiklian said she expected to be in the Hunter again as soon as next week.