Selasa, 22 April 2014

Baird Cabinet announced: Premier promotes Constance to Treasurer, makes way for five new MPs (ABC)

NSW Premier Mike Baird has promoted five new MPs to his Cabinet line-up.ABC NSW Premier Mike Baird has promoted five new MPs to his Cabinet line-up.

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird has dumped four MPs from his Cabinet and handed the Treasury portfolio to Andrew Constance.

Greg Smith, Robyn Parker, George Souris and Don Page all lost out in the Cabinet reshuffle announced by the new Premier in Sydney.

The vacancies make way for five new MPs: Robert Stokes, Troy Grant, Dominic Perrottet, Paul Toole and Jai Rowell.

Mr Baird says the new-look team is a chance for "renewal" in the state.

"It brings experience and it brings a capacity to transform New South Wales," he said.

Mr Baird says the new faces in Cabinet come from a range of backgrounds including local government, policing and law.

"It is a group that brings experiences, but just as importantly it brings a hunger - a hunger to make this great state even greater, a hunger to transform NSW," he said.

Mr Constance has been promoted to Treasurer and the Attorney-General, Mr Smith, has been replaced by Brad Hazzard who hands Pru Goward the Planning portfolio.

Pittwater MP Mr Stokes replaces Robyn Parker as Environment Minister, while Dubbo MP Mr Grant takes over Hospitality, Gaming and Racing and the Arts from George Souris.

Castle Hill MP Mr Perrottet has been given the job of Minister for Finances and Services and Bathurst MP Mr Toole has become the new Minister for Local Government.

Former whip Jai Rowell now takes on the Mental Health portfolio.

Gabrielle Upton has replaced Ms Goward in the Community Services portfolio, while Kevin Humphries will be the new Minister for Natural Resources.

Deputy Liberal leader Gladys Berejiklian holds on to the Transport portfolio, while Adrian Piccoli keeps Education.

The new line-up will be officially sworn-in on Wednesday.

Reshuffle a 'raw deal' for the Hunter

The NSW Opposition says the Hunter region has received a raw deal in the latest Cabinet reshuffle.

The Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, who is based in Sydney, has been given responsibility for the region, while Hunter-based MP George Souris has been dumped from the frontbench.

Labor leader John Robertson says it speaks volumes about the Premier's regard for the region.

"I think it's extraordinary that when you've got such a number of Liberal MPs in the Hunter that not one of those is actually given the responsibility for the Ministry of Hunter," he said.

"The Hunter has a minister that lives in Willoughby. Western Sydney has a minister that lives in Manly and the Illawarra has a minister that lives in Rockdale."

However, Mr Baird said: "She (Ms Berejiklian) is an outstanding minister that is responsible for delivering what is the most significant urban renewal project in Newcastle's history, she will play an integral role in that.

"It seemed totally appropriate to ask her to take on the role to look after the Hunter while she was there representing not only that project but the broader interest of the region."

Premier's father says no more tourism lobbying

The Premier's father, Bruce Baird, says he will step aside from his NSW activities given the recent focus on lobbyists.

The elder Mr Baird is the chairman of the Tourism and Transport Forum, which has a strong voice on development issues.

He says it is a national body, so he will confine his work to other states.

"I was already going to be standing down from the organisation at the end of the year when my contract expires so it is a progression and it's a natural one I think and appropriate," he said.

Don Page to resign after being dumped from Cabinet

Ahead of the announcement he had been dumped from Cabinet, Ballina MP Don Page fought back tears as he announced his plans to resign from politics at the election next year.

The Nationals MP and grandson of former prime minister Sir Earle Page has held the north coast seat for more than a quarter of a century.

He said given the cabinet reshuffle it was time to make his intentions clear.

"When you've been in this job for 26 years and you've been a minister for three, these sorts of changes do bring forward certain emotional reactions from time to time," he said.

"But I've enjoyed every minute of it and I'm still going to stay on as the local member until the next election, but I've decided that it's time for me to move on."


http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/22829336/baird-cabinet-announced-premier-promotes-constance-to-treasurer-makes-way-for-five-new-mps/

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