Jodi McKay has made her first trip outside of Sydney since being named leader of the state opposition, to meet with the five Hunter MPs named in her shadow cabinet.
Meeting with local members at Nobby's Beach on Friday, the former Newcastle MP said she wanted her first trip to be to the Hunter because the area means so much to her personally.
The meeting officially introduced the local MPs granted portfolios in the new shadow cabinet, including Deputy Leader and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley.
Ms Mckay said she is thrilled to have the "girls from the Hunter leading the Labor Party", with both herself and Yasmin Catley hailing from regional New South Wales.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington takes on the role as Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage, and Shadow Minister for Rural Health.
Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison is joining the shadow cabinet for the first time in her role as Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Learning, which Jodie Mckay says will be important as "Labor sees education as a priority going forward".
Cessnock MP Clayton Barr is taking on the role of Shadow Minister for Water, Innovation, Science, Tertiary Education as well as Shadow Minister for the Hunter.
"It was really important for me that the role of Shadow Minister for the Hunter role was not just focused on the city area of Newcastle," said Jodi McKay.
"I wanted to pay tribute to all those people in the Hunter Valley and I wanted Clayton to take on this role so he could be an advocate for Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Scone because it is important for those communities to know that we are there for them as well."
Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison steps into the role of Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Medical Research, and Investment and Tourism.
Jodi Mckay said under her leadership the party plans to reconnect with rural and regional New South Wales and is using the appointments of these MPs to key cabinet portfolios to reflect this commitment to regions like the Hunter.
"This region is so important to the economic prosperity of this state," she said.
"I know what makes this region tick, I know how people here feel and think and it is important for me personally that we have a strong team coming from the Hunter."
The opposition leader also used the opportunity to reaffirm Labor's position on a proposed container port terminal in Newcastle, calling for action from the state government.
The comments come after NSW National party leader John Barilaro said he would support removal of restrictions for the expansion of a terminal including the removal of the cap and fee on container movements.
Mr Barilaro was referring to the presence of a clause inserted into the port sale contract by then Treasurer Mike Baird that imposes a cap and fee on all container terminals coming out of Newcastle Port.
Ms McKay said the deputy premier has long claimed he is willing to "stand up to" the coalition's Liberal members and says he should stop posturing and actually deliver for the people of the Hunter.
"The Nationals sat around the cabinet table when their Liberal masters drew up the sale documents for the state's port so John Barilaro can strut and crow as much as he likes about keeping the Liberals honest but this is a real test for him,"
"The people of Newcastle and the Hunter want to see action and even the Nationals rank and file members can see that the regions have been shortchanged because of the deal."
 |
| Hunter MP's announced in the Shadow Cabinet met at Nobby's Beach today. L-R Clayton Barr, Yasmin Catley, Jodie Harrison, Kate Washington, Jodi McKay, Tim Crakanthorp, Jenny Aitchison. |
