Embattled Labor MP Walt Secord to quit politics
Embattled NSW Labor MP Walt Secord has revealed he intends to quit politics after he stood down from the Opposition frontbench amid allegations of bullying.
NSW
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Senior Labor frontbencher Walt Secord is to quit politics with the Upper House MP declaring he will not be seeking a second term in the Legislative Council.
The move follows Mr Secord stepping down from the shadow ministry after being accused of bullying.
In a statement released today, Mr Secord said the decision followed discussions with his “wife friends and supporters”.
“I have proudly served the people of NSW and represented the Australian Labor Party in the NSW Legislative Council for more (than) 11 years,” it said.
“I will continue to work and support the Australian Labor Party.”
“I believe that NSW Labor leader Chris Minns provides the best opportunity – especially in the last four years – for NSW Labor to be elected to government. I will be making no further comment.”
Mr Secord – who held several shadow portfolios – stood down from the frontbench on Monday after the release of a report by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick that uncovered a “toxic” culture of bullying in the NSW parliament.
Mr Minns later revealed how he had received complaints against Mr Secord over the weekend.
Mr Secord issued an “unreservedly apology” for his conduct, declaring he could be “too blunt and too direct” in the high-pressure environment.
Mr Secord had stood down from the frontbench following complaints being lodged with the NSW Labor had office.
The former staffer-turned-politician served in the Upper House for more than 11 years, advocating fiercely for a ban on Nazi symbols, serving as the deputy chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel and NSW Parliamentary Friends of Armenia along with chairing the independent inquiry into the North Coast floods.
In a separate statement, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark and president David Ossip said state parliament had “no stronger advocate for multiculturalism and communal harmony” than Mr Secord.
“He has been a staunch and loyal friend to the Jewish community and other faith and multicultural communities throughout his time in Parliament,” the statement said.
“Most notably, he introduced a private member’s bill into Parliament to ban the public display of Nazi symbols late last year. This is now a much-welcomed reality in our state.
“The NSW Jewish community as well as the community at large owes him a debt of gratitude and thanks him for his service and immense contribution to public life. We wish him and his wife Julia well as he steps away from public life.”
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