New South Wales Minister for Police Troy Grant

Departing Parliament At 2019 State Election

Victor P Taffa

After almost 30 years in combined Public Service, New South Wales Police officer and Parliamentarian, I have made the decision not to contest the 2019 state election for the seat of Dubbo.

After careful consideration, I cannot commit to working in state politics until at least 2023 and will therefore not put my name forward. Running for Parliament in 2019 is not the right decision for my family or me.

To serve your community as a regional local member you need to make enormous sacrifices and put your heart and soul into the role, and I can no longer give this role my all after the next election.

 

In my inaugural speech, I said I was just an ordinary bloke with an extraordinary opportunity and I have dedicated every day since to making the most of this opportunity for the betterment of New South Wales.

I have long described myself as a son of regional New South Wales having called many towns home, and I have worked hard to not only ensure the Dubbo electorate gets its fair share, but that all of country New South Wales prospers.

Since entering the New South Wales Parliament in 2011, I have had the honour of working across a variety of portfolios and in a number of positions. These include:

• Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Sentencing of Child Sexual Assault;
• Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources;
• Minister for Hospitality, Gaming & Racing;
• Minister for Tourism & Major Events;
• Minister for Trade & Investment;
• Minister for Regional Infrastructure & Services; Minister for the Arts;
• Minister for Racing;
• Minister for Justice & Police;
• Deputy Premier;
• Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services.

I am very proud of my contribution to each and every one of these responsibilities.

As a former Police officer of 22 years who also has experience in emergency management, it has been an incredible honour to represent within Cabinet the men and women who serve on the frontline.

As the son of a country copper, I will always be a member of the New South Wales Police Force family so I am especially humbled to have contributed to the betterment of officer welfare and safety. I am proud to have created much needed organisational change through policies, stronger legislation and record funding especially in new technologies, equipment and infrastructure.

During my tenure as the 17th Deputy Premier of New South Wales, we secured $6 Billion from Rebuilding New South Wales for regional infrastructure to upgrade crucial services including schools, hospitals and roads, renew the XPT fleet and establish a mobile black spots package for the bush with the Commonwealth. Together we took to the election a plan to bridge the divide between the city and the regions and ensure country New South Wales got its fair share and thrived.

As Leader of the New South Wales Nationals, it was incredibly humbling to lead our party to electoral success in 2015. All of our team of local champions who stood for re-election were returned, and we won 2 of 3 retiring seats. I am also especially proud to have established a taskforce to ensure the party actively worked to ensure it best represents our diverse communities.

As Minister for the Arts, I was passionate about fostering access and excellence. I oversaw the first Cabinet endorsed:

• Arts and Cultural Policy Framework,
• Create NSW,
• Developed a $600 Million Cultural Infrastructure Fund,
• Set up the $20 Million Made in New South Wales film fund,
• Created new scholarship and fellowship programs with a focus on talent in regional New South Wales.

As Racing Minister, our state secured wagering tax parity with Victoria and established the Country and Provincial Championships flagship events.

In the Hospitality and Gaming portfolio, I removed the 3 strikes disciplinary scheme from the bricks and mortar of businesses and commenced balancing the lock out laws.

In the portfolios of Trade and Investment and Major Events and Tourism, I put a focus on regional and remote New South Wales by expanding funding programs and introducing new initiatives such as regional conferencing.

I put my hand up for State Politics with the ambition of fighting for a new hospital for Dubbo. Today, over $250 Million has been invested in Dubbo Hospital with stages 1 to 3 open and stage 4 on the way. As a local MP, I have opened 3 new hospitals and 2 Multi-Purpose Services and only this month turned the first sod on the Mudgee Hospital redevelopment.

I would like to thank the great people of the Dubbo electorate for the trust they have placed in me and I look forward to continuing to work with them right up until Saturday 23 March 2019.

I also extend my appreciation to many current and former colleagues, party members and staff for their support and loyalty.

Above all, I thank my wife Toni and our children Taylor and Hamish for their love. It is their support and sacrifice that has allowed me to proudly serve New South Wales.

 

Abbreviations:

MP                  Member of Parliament

NSW               New South Wales

XPT                Express Passenger Train