Outgoing Nats MP ‘grateful’ to Barilaro
Phoebe Loomes |
Outgoing Nationals MP Melinda Pavey says she will “always be grateful” to divisive former deputy premier John Barilaro as she farewells her career in NSW politics.
Melinda Pavey thanked the former Monaro MP in her valedictory speech to the parliament on Tuesday and joked about pork barrelling – the targeted allocation of taxpayer funds to certain electorates, designed to drum up political favour.
“I will always be grateful to John Barilaro, who gave me the opportunity to serve for five years in the NSW ministry,” the former water, property and housing minister said on Tuesday.
“It was the most challenging yet rewarding professional experience of my life.”
The delivery of the upgrade of the Pacific Highway, jointly-funded by the NSW government and the commonwealth, was one of the highlights of her career.
The Pacific Highway runs from Newcastle through to Tweed Heads at the Queensland border, passing through coastal regional centres including Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Ballina.
The upgrade was the largest infrastructure project in the country, and was completed in 2021.
“The Nationals have been fighting for that for over 30 years. It’s been delivered in our term of government,” Ms Pavey said.
The outgoing MP also joked about pork barrelling, which has become a hot button issue during the 11-year term of the NSW coalition government, after various grants programs came under scrutiny for favouring government seats.
Money had flowed through to the regional electorates after her predecessor, former deputy premier and Oxley MP Andrew Stoner, cleaned up the state’s books, she said.
“You lot like to call that pork barrelling. We like to call that catching up,” the Oxley MP said.
Ms Pavey received a standing ovation in the chamber after her speech and was hugged by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and a long line of MPs from both sides of politics after she spoke.
Nationals Leader Paul Toole thanked Ms Pavey for her advocacy for regional communities after she announced her intention to retire earlier this year.
“Mel can be proud that her time in the Parliament and as a long-time member of the NSW Nationals team has helped deliver a stronger regional NSW for the next generation,” Mr Toole said.
Four Liberal Ministers are set to give their valedictory speeches on Tuesday, including long-serving Wakehurst MP and Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Customer Service Minister and Ryde MP Victor Dominello, Transport Minister David Elliott and Corrections Minister and Parramatta MP Geoff Lee.
Mr Hazzard endured 16 years in opposition after retaining his northern Sydney beaches Wakehurst seat in 1995, before the return of coalition rule in 2011.
He oversaw multiple portfolios and his previous career as a lawyer saw him rise to the role of attorney-general, but he will be best remembered for his work in health, serving as minister for more than five years, including during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also set to give their parting words are Liberal Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton and Labor MP for Cabramatta Nick Lalich.
AAP
