Jonathan O’Dea, NSW Speaker, to quit politics at next election

Another senior NSW Government figure will quit politics at the next state election.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is set to be hit with yet another blow, as Liberal Speaker Jonathon O’Dea prepares to announce he will retire at the March state election.

Mr O’Dea — the MP for Davidson in Sydney’s north — has told party members he will not run at the state election in March next year.

The MP has held the conservative blue ribbon Liberal seat, which includes the suburbs of Belrose, Gordon, Castle Cove and Pymble, since 2007.

NSW Speaker and State Liberal MP for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea, picture with road construction workers when cutting the ribbon on the Warringah Rd underpass at Frenchs Forest, is quitting politics. Picture: Transport for NSW

Mr O’Dea joins other high profile government MPs to announce they will not recontest their seats in 2023 including Services Minister Victor Dominello and Corrections Minister Geoff Lee.

In a message to his local party faithful, Mr O’Dea wrote that “having reflected deeply” he had decided not to run for parliament again and hoped that “some strong new parliamentary talent” would take his place.

The highly respected Mr O’Dea has been speaker since may 2019 and has held three Parliamentary Secretary positions including Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Treasurer for more than two years.

“It has been an enormous privilege to represent the people of NSW alongside my

parliamentary colleagues,” Mr O’Dea said.

“I will now seek new opportunities in moving to the next phase of my working life.”

In a social media message on Monday to members of the Davidson State Conference, Mr O’Dea wrote it would “not be easy” for the Coalition to hang onto government next year.

“(But) with a united and revitalised team, the NSW Liberal-Nationals Coalition has a great chance in the March 2023 election.” he wrote.

Jonathan O'Dea MP at Roseville train station. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

“Finally I hope to see many of you at our local conference fundraising dinner with Premier Perrotet on Friday, 16 September at Roseville Golf Club.

“It will now have added significance”.

A senoir Liberal source said the race to replace Mr O’Dea as the Liberal candidate in Davidson could see Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward, who is currently in the Upper House, join the list of nominees.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said that Mr O’Dea was “a vital contributor to the State, with a

particular legacy of effectively managing COVID-19 restrictions in the Parliament during

the pandemic.

“I thank Jonathan for his outstanding contribution and dedication,” he said.

Senior Independent MP Greg Piper said Mr O’Dea “has served with diligence and integrity”.

“He has always been thoughtful in making decisions and sought the best outcome for all,” Mr Piper said. “As Speaker, he has done much to improve the operation of the Parliament, including the behaviour within the Chamber.”

Opposition Leader Chris Minns said he wanted to wish Mr O’Dea well for the future.

“O’Dea has significantly changed the culture of the Legislative Assembly by bringing to the role of Speaker a measure of impartiality that has ensured improved accountability of the executive in the best traditions of the Westminster system,” Mr Minns told NewsLocal.

“From an Opposition perspective, O’Dea has run the Legislative Assembly like an independent would and that’s a credit to him.”