Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan has been promoted to the NSW shadow cabinet for the first time, while former youth justice spokeswoman Aileen McDonald has been dropped in a wide-ranging reshuffle by the state Liberals and Nationals.
Moylan has been appointed Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Regional Crime.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve in the shadow cabinet as shadow minister for agriculture and shadow minister for prevention of regional crime,” Moylan said.
“These roles reflect the priorities of the Northern Tablelands and strengthen my ability to keep working hard for our communities and farmers.”
The introduction of a dedicated regional crime prevention portfolio has been welcomed by the Country Mayors Association (CMA), which represents dozens of rural councils.
“Crime is a serious issue for several of our member councils,” said CMA chair Rick Firman, the mayor of Temora Shire.
“To see a shadow ministry specifically for regional crime prevention is encouraging. We look forward to meeting with Mr Moylan to discuss our members’ concerns.”
However, Firman criticised the Coalition’s decision to remove local government as a stand-alone portfolio in the new line-up.
“Local government is integral to the provision of services and facilities to every person that lives in NSW. We strongly believe that the sector deserves a shadow minister whose primary focus is on working with us,” he said.
McDonald among those cut
Among those removed from the shadow ministry is Aileen McDonald, who previously held the youth justice portfolio. No replacement has been named for the role.
Also cut from the frontbench are Robyn Preston (mental health), Adam Crouch (corrections) and Geoff Provest (seniors).
Other new faces in the shadow ministry include Monica Tudehope, spokeswoman for finance and western Sydney, and Jacqui Munro, who takes on environment, science and technology, heritage and the Central Coast.
Meanwhile, Anthony Roberts, a conservative MP, returns to the frontbench with the police, counter-terrorism and corrections portfolios.
The Liberals say the new team combines experience and emerging talent to hold the Labor government to account while developing policies that support families, households, small businesses and communities across the state.
“With just over 14 months until the next NSW election, the new NSW Liberal and Nationals team will be focused on delivery, not slogans, and on presenting a serious and responsible alternative government,” said the Liberals.
“The refreshed shadow ministry will deliver a long-term plan for New South Wales that drives economic growth, restores reliable and high-quality services including our trains and hospitals, continues investment in infrastructure, strengthens support for families and households, and presents credible solutions to the housing crisis.”
Key changes to the shadow ministry include:
- Gurmesh Singh taking on the small business portfolio
- Scott Farlow becoming shadow treasurer
- Damien Tudehope moving to shadow attorney general
- Sarah Mitchell taking over the health portfolio, combining regional health and mental health
- Chris Rath becoming shadow minister for planning and housing
- Mark Speakman shifting to education
New additions include:
- Anthony Roberts as shadow minister for police and counter-terrorism
- Monica Tudehope as shadow minister for finance and for Western Sydney
- James Wallace as shadow minister for industrial relations and government procurement
- Jacqui Munro as shadow minister for the environment, science and technology, and heritage
- Tanya Thompson as shadow minister for emergency services and disaster recovery
- Brendan Moylan as shadow minister for agriculture and prevention of regional crime
- Matt Cross as a non-voting shadow cabinet secretary
NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said the new team would work every day to earn the trust of voters.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals will be a government of vision and ambition, and will put the interests of families, businesses and communities back at the centre of decision-making in NSW,” she said.
“Our team will be developing practical policies that support families, ease the cost of doing business, make housing more affordable, ensure reliable frontline services and empower local communities.”
“This is a team that understands government, respects taxpayers and is committed to delivering a stronger, more affordable and more prosperous New South Wales.”
Tamworth MP and Nationals deputy leader Kevin Anderson is shadow minister for hospitality and gaming, tourism, Western NSW and seniors, while Upper House Nationals leader Sarah Mitchell is Shadow Minister for Health, Regional Health and Mental Health.
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