Andrew Stoner MP

Leader of the NSW Nationals

Deputy Premier of NSW

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 15 October 2014

STATEMENT

Today I informed Premier Mike Baird and my parliamentary colleagues that I will be
retiring from state politics at the next election.

After almost sixteen years, it remains a privilege to serve the people of Oxley in the
NSW Parliament and I am humbled to have had the opportunity over the past twelve
years to lead the NSW Nationals the only party that truly represents regional NSW.

Serving as a Member of Parliament requires our families and loved ones to make
many sacrifices. For Members representing regional electorates, this includes many
nights away from home. In the next phase of my life, I look forward to spending more
time with my wife Cathy and our children on the States magnificent Mid North Coast.

This decision is made easier by the knowledge that the leadership of the NSW
Government is in the safe hands of my friend, Premier Mike Baird. Mike is an honest
and courageous leader and, with his team, will continue to deliver effective, energetic
and responsible policies for our State.

Equally, the future of the NSW Nationals is a bright one. The NSW Nationals now
represent nineteen regional electorates and in the Upper House we have seven
legislative councillors fighting for the interests of the regions. We have recently
welcomed a dynamic core of new members who will take the party forward and
ensure future governments continue to make regional NSW a great place to live,
work and bring up a family.

While the job of an MP is never done, I look back on my last nearly sixteen years as
an MP and I am proud of what I have delivered for the people of Oxley and the state
of NSW, especially those who live in regional communities.

We conducted Australias first ever community preselection in Tamworth in 2010, we
defeated the independent movement at the Northern Tablelands by-election in 2013.
With a total of seven Nationals Ministers around the Cabinet table and twenty-six
parliamentarians, we have put regional NSW back at the heart of Government in
NSW.

In just under four years of government, we are rebuilding regional NSW with more
than $13 billion of infrastructure projects, including the States first inland dam in over
30 years, over $1.5 billion for better hospitals and investing $1 billion more each year
to build safer roads. Since being elected to government in 2011, there are now more
than 2,200 additional nurses, teachers and police on the front line in regional NSW.

Tomorrow at a meeting of the NSW Nationals parliamentary team, I will declare my
position as Leader of the NSW Nationals vacant, so the party can elect a new leader
and Deputy Premier.

The Premier has indicated to me that in the interest of stability and continuity, he
would like to keep the same cabinet until the election, and I am more than happy to
continue serving in my current roles until that point.

Whilst a part of me wants to stay in Government to achieve more positive reform for
the people of NSW, the time has come, after almost sixteen years, to put my family
first. I have no job lined up, and I am not under any cloud. I simply need to be there
for my family.

I would like to thank my constituents in Oxley, my current and former colleagues,
members and supporters of the NSW Nationals and my hard working staff for their
support and guidance throughout my career.

And most importantly I would like to thank my wife Cathy and children for their love
and support.