I have made the difficult decision to retire from politics. A family health issue emerged in mid-2019 which has since deteriorated. Accordingly, I will not contest the next election in March 2023.
I am eternally grateful to our Ryde community for allowing me to represent them over the past 14 years and serve as a Minister since 2011.
My heartfelt thanks to the Premier for his leadership, strong vision and reform zeal for the people of our great State. I will work tirelessly to support the re-election of the Perrottet-Toole Government and the next Liberal candidate for Ryde.
I look forward to serving in the Cabinet until 25 March 2023 and will continue to put my heart and soul into delivering on the State’s digital transformation agenda.
We have worked across all agencies of government to fundamentally transform service delivery in NSW, making things easier and saving time for the people of the State.
We created a world-first Department of Customer Service and led a significant evolution of Service NSW, both of which played a critical role during the pandemic and recent natural disasters.
With the introduction of the Digital Driver Licence, the ServiceNSW app, QR check-ins, Dine & Discover vouchers and numerous other features we have seen an incredible era of digital transformation and uplift across NSW in which we have led the nation and, on occasion, the world.
Better still, we have laid the foundations for a successful future in the digital era.
I intend on seeing through a number of important projects over the next seven months including the roll out of the digital birth certificate, the education wallet, verifiable credentials and eConveyancing reform.
In addition to the extraordinary digital transformation, in recent times, we established ground-breaking inquiries into the Crown and Star casinos and overhauled the CTP scheme, resulting in reduced premiums and improved protections.
We have also overseen a Ryde renaissance, with seven new or significantly upgraded schools and the development of a world-class education precinct, including investment in Meadowbank TAFE. Money has been secured for the rebuild of Ryde Hospital, plus the creation of a brand new multi-sport and netball facility at the Marsden High School site. Working with the community we have helped save Macquarie Ice Rink, Tennis World, and numerous other public assets.
I would like to thank the NSW Liberal Party, my parliamentary colleagues my local branch and conference members who have put their faith in me over 14 years and four elections.
Also thank you to my incredible staff – four of whom will have been with me for more than 10 years by the time of the next election – you have been instrumental to our success.
Last but not least, I’ve been lucky enough to work and collaborate with some of the most talented and passionate public servants in the country across a number of portfolios.
I especially want to thank Emma Hogan and her team at the Department of Customer Service for their stellar leadership and support throughout my tenure.
I feel deeply grateful to be a very small part of a genuinely transformational team.
