Rob Stokes, Brad Hazzard: Rumours they will quit are quashed, Hazzard to keep health job
Rumours that two northern beaches MPs would quit following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian have been circulating as they reveal what they will do next.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Speculation that two northern beaches MPs would immediately quit the NSW parliament in the wake of Dominic Perrottet becoming the new Premier have been quashed.
Pittwater MP Rob Stokes told the Manly Daily he would not be quitting after he lost his bid for Premier to Dominic Perrottet on Monday morning.
And Wakehurst MP Brad Hazzard is set to be sworn in again, on Monday, as the state’s Health Minister amid rumours over the weekend that he would retire from politics.
Mr Perrottet won the Liberal Party leadership vote against Mr Stokes 39 to 5.
After the leadership vote meeting Mr Stokes said he would make a decision on whether to stand at the next election — due in March 2023 — nearer the time.
“That’s a decision I make every four years,” Mr Stokes said.
“I sit down with my family and we decide whether we want to enter into a contract with the community.
“It’s a decision we make together.”
On his bid for Premier, Mr Stokes said “it was always going to be an uphill battle” to win the numbers, “but it was important to give the representatives a choice”.
In terms of his future role in the NSW Government he said he had done “no deals and had no expectations”.
He said he had held many roles including Eduction Minister and is currently the Planning Minister and was very experienced.
However, he said he would totally understand if Mr Perrottet wanted to give other people a crack at a senior position.
“I’ve had a really good run,” he said.
“If the Premier wants to give someone else a go I understand.
“On the other hand I’m experienced, but it is not my decision.”
At a media conference soon after the leadership vote, the new Premier said he would not be conducting a Cabinet reshuffle until later in the year.
Meanwhile, Wakehurst MP Brad Hazzard will continue his role as Health Minister.
Mr Perrottet confirmed at his media conference that Mr Hazzard would be keeping his portfolio.
It is understood that Mr Hazzard called Mr Perrottet over the weekend to assure him that he would not be not be the cause of a by-election and would stay in parliament until at least the next election.
Rumours were swirling over the long weekend that Mr Hazzard, along with Mr Stokes, would retire from state politics after the shock resignation of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian due to investigations by the corruption watchdog.
However, a Liberal source revealed to the Manly Daily, before the new Premier confirmed it, that Mr Hazzard, who was close to Ms Berejiklian, would also remain in his seat for the rest of the term and would keep his role as Health Minister.
“Hazzard is staying,” the source said.
“He will be sworn in as Health Minister this afternoon.”
As he left the party room the meeting mr Hazzard said he welcomed the new Premier.
“He’ll do a great job looking after the people in New South Wales,” Mr Hazzard said.
“What happens is we have a Premier who will make sure the citizens of the state are looked after. I look forward to that.”
.
Join the conversation
Aussie quartet make sailing history with win in women’s America’s Cup
For the first time in 174 years Australian women have set sail in an America’s Cup. How the quartet on Andoo Australia are faring as the Pool B Racing begins.
Read more
Future Olympians! Try-fectas, close calls in Next Gen 7s battles
There were blowouts, close calls, a hot boot and multiple try-fectas in the opening round of the Next Gen Sevens rugby series in Sydney. Stars, great photos and Rd 1 result wrap.
Read more