‘It’s time:‘ MP’s shock announcement
Longtime NSW MP Adam Marshall has announced his pending retirement from state politics, triggering a by-election in the New England seat.
Mr Marshall, 39, first won the seat in 2013, with the NSW National retaining the seat with a 33.2 per cent margin.
The MP shared his shock decision on Thursday during a meeting of country mayors in Inverell. In a statement, Mr Marshall said he intended to formally hand in his resignation on May 13.
In a statement, he said it was time to leave the “demanding and all-consuming role” and flagged the potential to pursue opportunities in the corporate space.
Mr Marshall said it wasn’t a decision he “made lightly”, but “it’s one I’m now very comfortable with”.
“This is a demanding and all-consuming role to do properly and it inevitably takes its toll,” he said.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that despite absolutely loving our region, its people and my role as a local state MP, I cannot put this move off any longer. This will be the end of representative politics for me.
“While there will be plenty of time for reflection over the next five weeks and beyond, for me, I’m firmly focused on the work I still have to do, which I intend to carry out with the same enthusiasm and energy as I always have.”
He said it had been “an honour and a privilege” to serve rural communities.
“Coming into this role 11 years ago, it was never my intention to stay forever, believing that our region is best served by those prepared to get in, give it everything they have and then pass the baton on to fresh hands,” he said.
“Hopefully, I have done this.”
“We have achieved some incredible things together and I will always cherish the friendships I have made and the interaction I have had with people during my time in the role.”
Prior to entering Macquarie St, Mr Marshall was first elected to Gunnedah Shire Council in 2004 before becoming mayor in 2008.
During the Berejiklian government, Mr Marshall oversaw the portfolios for tourism and major events and skills from 2017 to 2019 before a cabinet reshuffle led to him taking on agriculture and western NSW from April 2019 to December 2021.
Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said Mr Marshall was a “great local member” and spoke to Mr Marshall’s advocacy during the bushfires, drought and pandemic and most recently his leadership amid growing rates of youth crime.
“Whether bushfires, drought, Covid or the escalating regional crime crisis, Adam and the NSW Nationals have always had the region’s best interests at heart,” he said in a statement.
“The former Coalition government invested record amounts in health, education, transport, and roads across the electorate, but there is still more work to do.”
