Candidates stake claim over northern beaches seat after Stokes quits

Senior NSW minister Rob Stokes will retire from politics at the next election, prompting upper house Liberal Natasha Maclaren-Jones to stake her claim over his sought after northern beaches seat of Pittwater.

Stokes confirmed on Friday morning he would resign at the March 2023 election after more than 15 years in state politics, joining a growing list of departing Coalition MPs.

NSW Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes will retire from politics at the next state election.Credit: Louise Kennerley

“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,” Stokes said in a statement.

“In the meantime, I will use all my energy, experience and enthusiasm to support the Liberals and Nationals team as we fight to return the Perrottet-Toole government in 2023.”

Stokes’ failed bid to replace Gladys Berejiklian as premier in October last year fuelled speculation over his future in state parliament.

The member for Pittwater was first elected to parliament in 2007 and held the environment, planning, education and infrastructure portfolios during his time on Macquarie Street. He is currently Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Cities, and Minister for Active Transport.

“What an honour it has been to serve as part of a government that has fought to transform NSW into a freer, fairer and more prosperous society,” Stokes said.

An hour after Stokes announced his resignation, NSW Families and Communities Minister Natasha Maclaren-Jones released a statement flagging a move to the lower house, saying she intended to seek Liberal pre-selection for Pittwater. Liberal sources confirmed she had the support of Premier Dominic Perrottet to issue the statement.

“It is from my love for Pittwater and my commitment to continuing to serve our community that today I announce I will be putting myself forward and nominating for Liberal Party pre-selection to represent Pittwater,” Maclaren-Jones said.

Northern Beaches councillor Rory Amon announced his intention to seek Liberal preselection for the seat of Pittwater, which is held on a 20 per cent margin.

Fellow Liberal upper house member and Roads Minister Natalie Ward is also eyeing a move to the lower house, considering contesting the safe seat of Davidson after Legislative Assembly Speaker Jonathan O’Dea announced his resignation.

O’Dea, Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello and Corrections Minister Geoff Lee are among other senior Liberals resigning from parliament. Nationals MPs Melinda Pavey and Chris Gulaptis are also quitting. Former attorney-general Gabrielle Upton and Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly will also bid farewell to Macquarie Street.

Stokes said it was now time to “make room for a different perspective and a new voice for Pittwater”.

Perrottet praised Stokes for his time in parliament, describing him as a champion for reform.

“I would like to thank Rob for his important and significant contribution to public life and our state, and I wish him, his wife Sophie and their children all the very best for the future,” Perrottet said.

Treasurer Matt Kean on Friday said Stokes had made a substantial contribution to the Liberal party and NSW, describing his departure as a huge loss.

Treasurer Matt Kean on Friday described Rob Stokes’ departure as a huge loss.Credit: James Alcock

Kean said Maclaren-Jones was a “lifetime Liberal” who would make an “outstanding” member for Pittwater.

He rejected any suggestion the party was suffering a mass exodus, instead describing the turnover and “new blood” as a strength for the government as it seeks a fourth term in office.

Kean said that he had encouraged Ward to put her hat in the ring for Davidson, adding that she was “a future premier.”

Pittwater is among a swathe of traditionally blue-ribbon Sydney seats that could be targeted in the March poll by environment-focused independents, who have mobilised following the success of teal candidates at the federal election.

Earlier this year Stokes told the Herald he believed the Liberal Party should adopt the platform of teal independents in 2023 to ward off challenges from independent candidates.

Volunteer group North Sydney’s Independent has launched its search for candidates to support in the seats of Lane Cove, held by Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, and North Shore, held by Felicity Wilson.

Independent campaign groups are also mobilising in Pittwater, Wakehurst and Manly ahead of the election.

Optional preferential voting in NSW will make it more challenging for independents to emulate the success of the federal campaigns, where many relied on preferences to get them over the line.

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