Goulburn MP, Wendy Tuckerman (pictured), will take on the role of NSW Minister of Local Government as part of State Premier, Dominic Perrottet’s cabinet reshuffle announced today.
In a statement this morning, Ms Tuckerman said she was “honoured and humbled” by the appointment and looked forward to working with councils and stakeholders across the state.
“Local government plays such an important role in communities and I look forward to continuing the great work that former Minister Shelley Hancock has achieved,” she said.
“As Minister for Local Government my focus will be to not only support the delivery of services but also the improvement of the essential functions which (councils) provide. I look forward to working with the Premier, and of course, continuing to represent the Goulburn electorate.”
The Premier has elevated nine first-time ministers into cabinet as part of his reshuffle and added three new portfolios – Cities, Science, Innovation and Technology, and Homes.
NSW South Coast MP, Shelley Hancock, announced last week that she would bow out of state politics at the next election in 2023 after nearly two decades of public life, leaving behind the Local Government portfolio.
In a statement, Mrs Hancock said “challenging family circumstances” meant she could not fully commit to serving in the Premier’s new cabinet. The long-serving MP also cited the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian as a contributing factor in her decision to stand down.
“Also, a significant challenge for me has been the departure of Gladys Berejiklian,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Gladys’ resignation is a loss for New South Wales and a personal loss for me, and something that I have found difficult to move past.”
Mrs Hancock served as Minister for Local Government for three years, and described the experience as “highly rewarding”.
“Together we have achieved significant reform to the state’s rating system, encouraged greater participation of women in our local councils, rewrote the rules for how we manage discarded property, delivered superannuation to councillors, secured the largest capital investment for our state’s animal shelters, and secured millions for councils to assist with bushfires, floods and the pandemic – all with the full support of local government stakeholders, something not experienced by every minister in this portfolio,” she said.
