Liberal MP Robert Stokes resigns from politics as 2023 state election preselections open

A NSW minister has confirmed he will not contest the next election, as the Liberal Party throws open preselection nominations for a slew of seats.

Senior NSW government Minister Rob Stokes has announced he’ll step down from politics and won’t contest the 2023 state election.

“I’ve had a great go, and now is the time to give others the opportunity to stand as Liberal candidate for Pittwater at the election next year,” he announced Friday morning.

“It’s time to make room for a different perspective and a new voice for Pittwater. We now need a contest to elect a new representative to serve the Pittwater community in the Parliament of NSW.”

The Cities and Active Transport Minister, who has previously held the gargantuan transport and planning portfolios, was first elected more than 15 years ago.

Just last year he contested for the leadership of the party with Dominic Perrottet after Gladys Berejiklians’ resignation.

Rob Stokes has confirmed he is stepping away from politics. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The Telegraph understands Upper House MP Natasha Maclaren-Jones may run in his seat.

It’s understood Ms Maclaren-Jones has been considering it, but that she would face stiff opposition from moderate locals.

Northern Beaches Councillor Rory Amon is a front runner but there is a clear view that it should be a woman.

Upper House MP Natasha Maclaren-Jones may run in the Pittwater seat. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Earlier in the week, in correspondence sent to Liberal Party members, the party executive announced nominations would be opened for seats it would contest across the state.

The letter to members states nominations for seats would close on October 6 – except for the seats of Drummoyne (held by MP John Sidoti) and Kiama (held by Gareth Ward), where the Liberal Party will look for alternative candidates after the incumbent members were dumped by the party.

The search for new members comes after Mr Sidoti was found to have engaged in “serious corrupt conduct” by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, leading to him being suspended by NSW parliament.

Likewise, Kiama MP Gareth Ward was suspended from parliament earlier this year after being charged with sexual intercourse with consent and three counts of assault with acts of indecency.

Mr Ward has maintained he is innocent of the charges and has so far given no indication he won’t contest next year’s state election.

The incumbent MP’s potential contesting of the seat will present a new headache for the Liberals – who won the seat of Kiama when Mr Ward beat out Labor in 2011.