NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces leisure and related portfolios in new cabinet
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has unveiled her new cabinet lineup, giving a renewed focus to the regions and announcing a new ministerial role for open spaces.
With a focus on regional NSW after the countryside swung away from the Coalition at the recent state election, Melinda Pavey is bringing “fresh eyes” to the water portfolio, partly replacing Niall Blair who stepped away from the regional water portfolio after massive fish kills in the Murray-Darling river system.
In other changes, Rob Stokes has been returned to the planning portfolio in the new cabinet, with an added responsibility of open and public spaces while Stuart Ayres regains his portfolio for tourism, along with investment and Western Sydney but loses the sport and recreation roles he has held since 2014.
John Sidoti becomes the new Minister for Sport and for Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans while Don Harwin remains as Minister for the Arts
The Tourism and Transport Forum welcomed the appointments, with TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond said “that as revealed on Saturday, with the most recent IVS (International Visitor Survey) numbers, NSW continues to be the number one State for total visitor nights, visitor numbers and visitor spending.
“2018 saw more than 4.4 million international tourists visiting NSW injecting more than $10 billion dollars into the State’s economy.
“We also welcome the renewed focus on the regional areas of NSW.
“TTF is looking forward to working with Treasurer Perrottet and Ministers Constance, Ayres and Stokes to ensure that our industry continues to thrive and deliver for NSW.”
Two former minister, Gabrielle Upton, who had been Minister for the Environment, and Ray Williams, announced on Saturday they would not seek reappointment.
The new NSW cabinet lineup with responsibility for leisure portfolios are:
John Barilaro - Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade
Don Harwin - Special Minister of State, Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts
Rob Stokes - Planning and Open Spaces
Stuart Ayres - Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney
Matt Kean - Energy and Environment
Adam Marshall - Agriculture and Western NSW
Shelley Hancock - Local Government
John Sidoti - Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans
Image: The new Berejiklian Government can now push ahead with the redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium.
Related Articles
22nd March 2019 - SCG Trust corrects Sydney Morning Herald claims of Allianz Stadium compliance works costs
15th March 2019 - ‘End of the Road’ for legal obstacles aimed at halting demolition of the Sydney Football Stadium
6th March 2019 - NSW Opposition leader vows to sack SCG Trust board over Allianz Stadium rebuild
26th February 2019 - NSW Government to boost Koala population and improve national park access
21st February 2019 - Industry and music bodies slam NSW Premier for creating ‘confusion and uncertainty’ for festival organisers
8th February 2019 - NSW Premier accused of $25 million sport venue ‘blackmail’ in marginal electorate
4th February 2019 - NSW Politicians make election pledges to parks and the Newcastle Art Gallery
13th December 2018 - NSW opposition promises to lift music bans and ‘put verve back into Sydney’
24th October 2017 - NSW Government appoints first Open Space and Parks Design Coordinator to oversee green projects
25th August 2017 - Industry Awards recognise the best in leisure communications and marketing
5th August 2017 - NSW Government to purchase Parramatta riverfront site for new Powerhouse Parramatta
5th June 2017 - Former NSW events minister ‘Sir Lunchalot’ jailed for 10 years
