NSW Minister For Primary Industries Niall Blair has stepped down as the National Party’s Deputy Leader and will not continue as a Minister. The news comes a day after the Coalition’s win in the state’s election.
In a statement released today, Niall Blair said the decision came before the election and was the result of professional and personal reasons.
“Some months ago, I informed the Deputy Premier that I did not wish to be considered for any new role in the ministerial team and that I would not be putting myself forward to my colleagues as a candidate for a leadership position in the NSW Nationals,” he said.
“Public life does not come without costs and while the opportunities have been immense, the costs personally and more recently professionally, have taken their toll.”
Minister Blair faced widespread criticism over the Sydney Marine Park proposal, and more recently the environmental disaster at Menindee Lakes in Western NSW.
More to follow.
