Fresh Faces In NSW Parliament

Seven NSW MPs and MLCs have been promoted to Cabinet for the first time following Premier Gladys Berejiklian's ministerial reshuffle earlier this week.

The new appointments were made possible following the departure of several long-serving MPs, including former Minister for Health Jillian Skinner, former Minister for Education Adrian Piccolli, and former Minister for Roads, Maritime & Freight Duncan Gay.

Former Minister for Ageing, Disability Services & Multiculturalism John Ajaka, and Minister for Early Childhood Education & Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams, have also stepped out of the ministry.

Some commentators have noted that the new appointments have reduced the average age of Cabinet ministers by four years, to 46 years old. The Premier, who has long been a quiet advocate for increasing female representation in the Liberal Party, has also seen that three of the seven new ministers are women.

New entrants to the NSW Cabinet include:

Hon Don Harwin MLC (LIB)
Minister for Resources, Minister for Energy & Utilities, Minister for the Arts, Vice-President of the Executive Council

  • Elected to parliament in 1999

  • Former President of the Legislative Council

  • Former President of the NSW Young Liberals

  • Strong advocate for same-sex marriage

  • Will be responsible for arts, mining and electricity policy

Hon Melinda Pavey MP (NAT)
Minister for Roads, Maritime & Freight

  • Member for Oxley

  • Previously served in the Legislative Council for 13 years

  • Former Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health

  • Will be responsible for the Govermment's $9.7 billion road infrastructure budget, with a likely focus on regional and rural NSW

Mr Matt Kean MP (LIB)
Minister for Innovation & Better Regulation

  • Member for Hornsby

  • Former Parliamentary Secretary to Gladys Berejiklian

  • Previously worked at Pricewaterhouse Coopers

  • Has been a high-profile advocate for mental health issues

  • Will be responsible for fair trading, cutting red-tape and promoting public sector innovation

Mr Adam Marshall MP (NAT)
Minister for Tourism & Major Events, Assistant Minister for Skills

  • Member for Northern Tabelands

  • Elected at a 2013 by-election

  • Previously a Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council

  • Former Parliamentary Secretary for Northern NSW and Renewable Energy

  • Will be responsible for managing a $175 million budget for tourism and events in NSW

Mrs Tanya Davies MP (LIB)
Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Women, Minister for Ageing

  • Member for Mulgoa

  • Previously a councillor on Penrith City Council

  • Former physiotherapist

  • Will be a strong advocate for projects in Western Sydney

  • Represents an important seat for the Liberal Party -- it was previously held by Labor for 23 years

Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC (NAT)
Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Assistant Minister for Education

  • Elected to the NSW Legislative Council in 2011, defeating Pauline Hanson for the Upper House seat

  • Served as an electorate officer to former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson

  • Former President of the Young Nationals and Chairman of the NSW branch

Mr Ray Williams MP (LIB)
Minister for Multiculturalism, Minister for Disability Services

  • Member for Castle Hill

  • Previously member for Hawkesbury

  • Former councillor at Baulkham Hills Shire Council

  • Served as the Deputy Chair of the Western Sydney Taskforce and also as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for Western Sydney

Cover photo: David Moir / AAP

Further Information
For further information about the NSW Government in 2017, please contact Ian Hancock on (02) 9223 0311 or via email: ih@premierstate.net.

PremierState