Ex-RFS chief Shane Fitzsimmons not fired up by politics

Former NSW Rural Fire Service chief Shane Fitzsimmons was sought by the Berejiklian government to consider a run for parliament at the 2023 state election.

Former NSW RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Former NSW Rural Fire Service chief Shane Fitzsimmons was sought by the Berejiklian government to consider a run for parliament at the 2023 state election, with the Australian of the Year finalist touted as a potential candidate for the safe seat of Wakehurst.

However, Mr Fitzsimmons, whose public profile grew substantially during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, left some Liberal MPs disappointed after indicating he was not interested in pursuing a career in politics, preferring to remain a public servant.

The former RFS commissioner retired in April last year to helm a new entity, Resilience NSW, billed as a leading disaster and emergency response ­agency. It has been criticised by some MPs for hiring large numbers of highly paid senior managers and producing few reports and briefings for the government months after its formation.

In a statement, the agency said it was continuing to deliver recommendations made by the NSW bushfire inquiry report. It was also overseeing $4.4bn in funding, a spokeswoman said, committed by state and federal agencies for “recovery and preparedness efforts”.

Multiple government officials have confirmed to The Australian that Mr Fitzsimmons had been pursued in recent months to consider a seat in parliament, but one official said efforts to gauge his interest had been ­unsuccessful.

“There are plenty in the Liberal Party who would be thrilled to see him nominate,” a senior government official told The Australian, “but he has never ­declared a political position to even his closest confidants and has repeatedly made it clear he is focused on his new role in ­Resilience NSW.”

Liberal MPs hoped Mr Fitzsimmons would stand in Wakehurst, a lower-house seat centred on Sydney’s northern beaches and held by Health Minister Brad Hazzard since 1991. He was also being considered for the nearby seat of Davidson.

Mr Hazzard had been tipped to retire last year but delayed the plan once the pandemic arrived; he is understood to be seeking retirement this year instead as he approaches the end of nearly three decades in parliament.

Mr Hazzard declined to comment when contacted. Mr Fitzsimmons said he had no plans to vacate his current position.

“No, I am not considering standing for the seat of Wakehurst,” he told The Australian, adding a further “no” when asked whether he was considering a tilt in other electorates.

Mr Hazzard’s departure will almost certainly create a coveted vacancy in Gladys Berejiklian’s 24-person cabinet and lead to a minor reshuffle of ministerial portfolios, mooted to be ­announced as early as March.

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello has been touted as a possible replacement for Mr Hazzard but colleagues have said he does not want the portfolio. He declined to comment.