Epping Liberal MP Damien Tudehope makes way for Dominic Perrottet
EPPING state Liberal MP Damien Tudehope has announced he will not nominate for preselection ahead of next year’s election and make way for NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.
Northern District Times
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EPPING state Liberal MP Damien Tudehope has announced he will stand down from his role to make way for NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.
Mr Tudehope this afternoon said he made an offer to Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Mr Perrottet yesterday to stand down from preselection so the latter could nominate for the seat.
Mr Perrottet, the Hawkesbury Liberal MP, has been lobbying to return to his former seat of Castle Hill, held by Liberal colleague Ray Williams.
Mr Perrottet lives at Beecroft and was worried his treasury and family duties would hamper his service to Hawkesbury people.
Mr Tudehope said he had faced difficult circumstances.
“I identified an opportunity where I was in a position to resolve a very difficult situation, and chose to do so for the good of the government,” he said.
“I remind myself every day what a privilege it is to serve in the NSW Parliament and to serve the people of Epping.
“I have worked tirelessly over the last few years to deliver for my electorate.
“...I know that if elected as the member for Epping, Dominic Perrottet will continue to deliver for the people of the electorate.”
Mr Tudehope said he will be nominating for preselection for an upper house seat.
A former lawyer, he was elected Epping MP in 2015.
“This was not an easy decision for me but ultimately I believe it was the right one for the government and the people of NSW,” he said.
“I am extremely grateful to the people of Epping for electing me as the member for Epping and I look forward to continuing to serve them diligently in the coming months, leading up to the election.”
He counted his greatest achievements as securing funding for a lift at Beecroft station, $5 million for a cycleway from Pennant Hills to Epping, and $50 million for the widening of Epping Bridge.
He said the NorthConnex tunnel and Sydney Metro trains would also benefit Epping people.