As Gladys Berejiklian was sworn in as the state’s 45^th premier on Monday, she took her oaths under no illusion about the task ahead of her.

Ms Berejiklian is taking over a government that is in danger of drowning in a sea of indecision against a backdrop of widespread political anger.

The success of a minor party candidate in the Orange byelection last year appears to have spooked a government that should be enjoying an unassailable lead in the polls.

Twelve months ago, former premier Mike Baird was the most popular politician in the land but he has now left the job following a dramatic slide in his personal rating.

While Mr Baird had been widely lauded as a brave leader willing to take tough decisions on issues such as greyhound racing and local government reform, backflips in those areas will seriously hurt his legacy.

Ms Berejiklian sought to avoid discussion of either of those topics as she took over the state’s top job on Monday – choosing instead to focus on housing affordability and infrastructure as he primary concerns – but those issues remain the greatest threats to this government as it prepares to face the polls again in two years’ time.

The Coalition’s success or failure in 2019 will depend largely on the electorate’s willingness to forgive and forget the greyhounds and amalgamations debacles, and Ms Berejiklian will hope that two years is long enough to dim their memories.

The danger of backflipping for the government is that it will certainly lose the support of those who favoured amalgamations and a greyhound racing ban, but there is no guarantee of picking up the votes of those who opposed those policies.

Ms Berejiklian also knows there is a fight looming with the Nationals who, under John Barilaro, are spoiling for a greater say in the joint party room to steer clear of new policies that won’t play well in the bush.

They feel dudded by Mr Baird and want better from Ms Berejiklian.

And that’s why day one was spent trying to establish a new battleground, somewhere far from the greyhound tracks and community halls that have caused the Coalition so much pain.

Mr Baird’s golden touch of 12 months ago is long gone and Ms Berejiklian will not be wishing to tarnish herself with the same brush.