NSW health minister Jillian Skinner quits, forcing North Shore by-election
HEALTH minister Jillian Skinner has quit politics and will force a by-election after a tense conversation with the new state premier.
National
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NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner quit politics today, carrying out her threat to cause a by-election in the seat of North Shore, after facing being dumped from the NSW ministry by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Ms Skinner’s resignation comes after a tense conversation with the new Premier on Wednesday night in which Ms Skinner is understood to have said “it’s Health or nothing” in terms of what portfolio she would be willing to accept.
A Liberal source said Premier Berejiklian had “stared her down” and refused to budge.
Calls began for the sacking of Ms Skinner, who has been Health Minister for six years, after what was seen as an unimpressive reaction to the accidental gassing of two babies at Bankstown hospital — with one newborn dying and the other brain damaged.
In a statement, Ms Skinner said: “Today I announce my intention to retire from politics.
“I have been honoured to serve the people of NSW as Health Minister since April 2011. During the last six years, I have led significant reforms within the NSW health system — from culture and management to hospital performance and infrastructure, finances and governance, innovation and medical research. Most importantly, I have always believed in putting the patient first in everything we do.
“I am very proud of the work that our clinicians, the staff in the NSW Ministry of Health and the local health districts have accomplished during my time as minister.
“It has been my great privilege to represent the people of North Shore in the NSW Parliament since 1994.
“I have dedicated most of the years since 1995, when I was first appointed Shadow Minister for Health, to improving the health services that we all need and rely upon.
“I am naturally sad to be leaving the portfolio I love. However, a new chapter beckons and I am looking forward to the challenges of life outside politics.
“I admire Gladys enormously. She has always been a close friend whom I have been proud to mentor for many years.
“She has my absolute support and best wishes for a very successful Premiership.”
Ms Berejiklian said in a statement: “I am deeply disappointed my friend, mentor and colleague Jillian Skinner has announced her resignation from the NSW Parliament.
“Jillian has served as the member for North Shore with distinction since 1994 and has been a tireless advocate for her local community.
“Since becoming Shadow Minister for Health in 1995, she has spent nearly all of her time in the health portfolio; serving as the Shadow Minister for 14 years in total and the Minister for Health for almost six years.
“During her time as minister she has delivered major improvements in health services and overseen the largest expansion in health infrastructure in the state’s history.
“I wish Jillian and her family well for the future and know that she will be sorely missed by so many across the entire health system.”
2016 A MINISTER’S ANNUS HORRIBILIS
February — It is revealed up to 70 cancer patients at St Vincent’s Hospital had received significantly less than the recommended dosage of chemotherapy drugs as far back as 2012.
July — News breaks that one baby died and another suffered serious lifelong injuries when they were given nitrous oxide instead of oxygen shortly after birth at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.
August/September — Forced to apologise after it is revealed that two stillborn babies were cremated by mistake at Royal North Shore Hospital in 2012, 2015.
September — Mounting calls for Mrs Skinner to resign.
December — Government backbencher and fellow Liberal MP John Sidoti tells the Inner West Courier “I want her gone” over inaction on a $150 million Concord Hospital upgrade
December — Premier Mike Baird fronts the media to defend his embattled Health Minister claiming: “I’m very proud of her and the job she is doing.”
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