South Coast MP and Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock has revealed she will bow out of state politics at the next election in 2023.
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In a statement, Ms Hancock - who has represented the South Coast for almost 18 years - said "challenging family circumstances" meant she could not fully commit to serving as a minister in Premier Dominic Perrottet's new cabinet.
"Also, a significant challenge for me has been the departure of Gladys Berejiklian," Ms 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."
She served as the Minister for Local Government for three years, a time working in the sector that she said was "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," Ms Hancock said.
She said Mr Perrottet now had the opportunity to take a new cabinet to the 2023 election, and urged greater representation of women.
Ms Hancock has also thanked the South Coast community.
"It is truly an honour to represent the best community in the state and I will continue to do with all so my energy until March 2023," she said.
Mr Perrottet said Ms Hancock was a "strong leader" and noted her time as speaker in the Legislative Assembly before her appointment to the cabinet.
Don Harwin, the Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts, and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, has also decided he will not recontest the next election.
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