Maitland MP Robyn Parker will focus on winning another term in the electorate being dumped from the environment and heritage portfolios.
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Premier Mike Baird announced a new cabinet yesterday, shunning Ms Parker and the Nationals’ Upper Hunter MP George Souris, who was minister for Hunter.
Liberal Party deputy leader Gladys Berejiklian will instead represent the Hunter at the cabinet table, with Pittwater MP Rob Stokes picking up the environment and heritage portfolios.
Ms Parker went to ground yesterday, rocked by the directive, but issued a statement thanking staff and her electorate for their support.
“The people of Maitland entrusted me with the honour of representing them in the NSW Parliament,” she said.
“They elected me to be a fearless advocate for our community and that has always been my priority.
“Thank you to the many staff who have supported me at the EPA, Office of Environment and Heritage, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and across our Trust’s, parklands and gardens.”
Mr Baird declined to comment on the performance of Ms Parker or Mr Souris in the announcement of his new cabinet.
“I have had to weigh up what I think is the right team to take us forward, provide a renewed focus on how we can turn this great state into an even greater state and part of that involved some difficult decisions and those decisions I made [Monday] night were not easy, but I strongly think they were in the right long-term interests of the state,” he said.
Barry O’Farrell, who stepped down as premier last week, had welcomed Ms Parker into the cabinet during her first term as member and stood by her throughout the Orica chemical leak at Kooragang Island.
Ms Parker put the shaky start behind her and got on with the job only recently chairing the community cabinet meeting at Maitland Town Hall.
“It has been a privilege to serve as the minister for the environment and minister for heritage over the past three years,” she said.
“I am extremely proud of our many achievements.”
Counted in her achievements was the creation of nine new national parks and reserves, and record visitation to those green belts.
Ms Parker also oversaw sweeping changes to the Environment Protection Authority which became an independent environmental regulator and was proud of the targets she help set to reduce landfill and help councils recycle more refuse.
Ms Parker entered Parliament 11 years ago as a member of the legislative council and trounced Labor MP Frank Terenzini to make the switch to the legislative assembly.
She led a 16 per cent swing away from Labor in Maitland and helped the Coalition secure a landslide win in 2011.
Ms Parker was guarded about her chances of retaining the ministry last week when Mr Baird was appointed Premier.
“It has been an honour to be the environment minister but those decisions are made by others,” she said.
“I have had some very hard decisions to make around the cabinet table, but I hope to continue in that position.
“My first priority is Maitland, but it is certainly a good thing to have their member a part of the cabinet.”
Winners:
* Gladys Berejiklian (43) – elevated to Liberal deputy leader, holds onto transport and handed minister for Hunter
* Andrew Stoner (54) – adds tourism, major events and small business to his responsibilities
* Brad Hazzard (62) – promoted to Attorney-General from planning
* Andrew Constance (40) – picks up treasury from Baird
* Pru Goward (61) – picks up planning from Hazzard
* Gabrielle Upton (49) – picks up community services from Goward
* Troy Grant (44) – handed hospitality, gaming, racing and arts
* Paul Toole (43) – local government from Don Page
* Rob Stokes (40) – new environment minister
* Dominic Perrottet (31) – given finance portfolio
* Jai Rowell (37) – mental health, assistant minister for health
* Kevin Humphries (54) – minister for land and water
Losers:
* Greg Smith (67) – dropped as Attorney-General
* George Souris (64) – loses Hunter, arts, tourism, major events, hospitality and racing
* Don Page (63) – dropped as local government minister
* Robyn Parker (56) – loses environment and heritage
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