NSW Labor: Penny Sharpe resigns from shadow ministry
Key Labor-left politician Penny Sharpe has resigned from NSW shadow ministry after refusing to vote with her party on a controversial bill.
NSW
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While the government is embroiled in controversy with the police investigation of Gareth Ward, NSW Labor is facing its own crisis with the resignation of a key shadow cabinet member.
Deputy opposition leader in the Legislative Council and opposition spokesperson for family and community service and disability inclusion Penny Sharpe announced on Friday that her disagreement with leader Jodi McKay over the Mandatory Disease Testing bill made her position untenable.
“I resign from these positions with great sadness but do so because I know the decision to abstain from the final vote on the Mandatory Disease Testing bill put me at great odds with Labor’s position on this bill and in doing so made my position in cabinet untenable,” she said.
Labor voted with the Coalition on key amendments to the bill which passed the Upper House on Thursday.
Ms Sharpe has been a staunch critic of the bill, which makes disease testing mandatory for those who assault front line workers.
While the bill aims to protect police and other frontline workers from contracting diseases, critics say it gives draconian powers to police to test the blood of ordinary citizens.
“I have campaigned with others to remove the stigma faced by those who have been infected with HIV and hepatitis,” she said. “I remain committed to continuing this work.”
“My experiences in this space meant I could not support the final version of the MDT bill.”
While Ms Sharpe resigned from her cabinet positions she will remain a member of the Labor Party.
Ms Sharpe’s resignation is a major loss for Jodi McKay’s cabinet just a week out from the crucial Upper Hunter by-election.
Ms McKay received the Deputy Opposition leader’s resignation on Friday afternoon.
“I understand this has been a very difficult decision for Penny. It comes after her decision to abstain from the final vote on the Mandatory Disease Testing Bill last night,” Ms McKay said.
“I wish Penny well and note she remains a valuable member of the Labor team. She has committed to doing everything she can to help Labor win the trust of the people of NSW and be returned to government in 2023.”
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