With Labor’s Chris Minns’ recent win at the NSW election on March 25, let’s take a closer look at the (front bench) ministers he hand picked, and how they may impact residents on the north coast.
On the upside, there is now substantial power bestowed upon the women folk – his frontbench consists of 22 ministers; 11 are women. There’s also much broader cultural diversity in ministers than the Liberal–Nationals government previously had.
It’s a big divergence from the vanilla, privileged (and entitled) white middle-aged male lineup that mostly occupied the NSW parliamentary cabinet for the past decade.
The Minister for the North Coast is Rose Jackson, MLC, who, from The Echo’s understanding, lives elsewhere.
Nevertheless, Jackson is also Minister for Water, Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health, and Youth.
Labor MP Janelle Saffin
Unfortunately, Lismore Labor MP Janelle Saffin’s strong advocacy for the region didn’t land her a ministry position.
Given the flood/landslide devastation a year on, and poor governance so far in the reconstruction of the region (despite a massive budget) – where is the Minister for Northern NSW Flood Reconstruction?
Moving on, there are Ministries that are more influential than others.
Just two that will impact the north coast somewhat more than others are the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces (Paul Scully MP), and the Minister for Local Government, (Ron Hoenig MP). They can play a pivotal role in either improving, or not, the ability for council’s to operate sufficiently without the need to grovel to the government for funds. Such advancements could lead to better roads, for example.
The influential roles in our lives
Other ministries play arguably similar influential roles in our lives.
They include the Minister for Health and Regional Health (Ryan Park MP), the Minister for Education and Early Learning (Pru Car MP), the Attorney General (Michael Daly MP), Treasurer (Daniel Mookhey MLC), the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads (Jenny Aitchison MP), the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism (Yasmin CarleyMP ), and the Minister for Small Business, Lands and Property (Stephen Kamper MP).
John Graham MLC takes on large portfolios as Minister for Roads, the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, as well as Jobs and Tourism.
It’s early days. And ministries can shuffle about at the start. Let’s wish them all the best in bringing about meaningful and positive reform.
Hans Lovejoy, editor
Overlords? I was under the impression they worked for us.
Depends on what consulting gigs you are offering for when they leave office.
Inexperienced minister’s.. however do like
The new Premier.. also liked the previous
Premier..both decent politicians.. and yes
Great to have 50% representation of both
Men and women…!! Iam sure Minn’s
Would if asked would be able to define what a women is.. !! not like that stupid NZ prime minister
Who embarrassed himself , also disrespected
The 50% of women in his government by
Fumbling his way through his answer..!!
Good luck NZ ..
You really have a thing about this woman thing, Barrow. Slightly obsessed?
If the last lot were experienced no wonder they were voted out if that’s all they could do eg stuff up the Murray darling scheme by doing nothing, hoping by providing money for koala research will prevent them going extinct, my daughter just gave birth in a public hospital with one nurse looking after 13 women in the maternity ward( not counting babies), protecting brumbies in the alpine region, yep experienced but incompetent .
At least the current ministers have hit the ground running not playing culture wars.
Barrow old son. you going off piste, again.
Your concern about NZ welfare and future is noted but has zero relevance to the article.
Well that’s reassuring – North Coast residents can sleep well now in the knowledge that they can be ignored, screwed, exploited, lied to and lesser evilled’ by a gender balanced ALP mafia, none of whom Hans seems to know much about.
Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. Let all Greens and sympathisers take note – here’s something about the ALP. Time to get the 🥾 👢 in!
Not sure if that’s a green, NATs or sovereign citizen comment here.
Because most people on the right are not ideological.
Ideology takes thought.
Following an ideology takes no thought, they are a belief structure.
Can’t imagine the Echo ever calling the Greens (if they were ministers) ‘overlords’. Some of them have spent time on the far North Coast as well, if they were to do a little homework
Well put knowing the difficulties labor has promoting itself in the echo( consider all the pro greens articles in the federal election).
If only the Echo would fully promote both Labor as well as Greens, it would be balanced and politically inclusive, devoid of all bias, and truly representative of the whole community.
Fair comment but there is a lot more venom reserved for the ALP. They are the main competition for the progressive vote and must be undermined at every opportunity. That’s politics!
Byron is in safe hands.
Our Green’s Member for Ballina will ensure that all is well.
Within the next 10 months, in line with her Election promise, she will be introducing her private members Bill on short term rental accommodation!