With local members of Parliament Brad Hazzard, Rob Stokes, and Jonathan O’Dea, all set to retire at next year’s State Election, Peninsula Living looks at the highs and lows of their time in the hot seats, as well as what the future holds outside the world of politics.
ROB STOKES
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport
Member for Pittwater
Keen to ‘make room for a new voice for Pittwater,’ Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport, Rob Stokes, tells Peninsula Living that serving the Pittwater electorate over the last 15 years has been a ‘real privilege.’
First elected as Member for Pittwater in 2007, and again in 2011 and 2015, the Newport-based father-of-three has also served as the Minister for Education, Planning, Environment and Heritage and the Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy and Energy Innovation, prior to nominating for Liberal Party leadership in 2021.
“Using my talents to serve the community I love and to contribute to building a more sustainable and prosperous society, has undoubtedly been the highlight of political life,” says the MP, whose initiatives have included the launch of Keoride on-demand public transport, funding for Mona Vale Public School’s major upgrade, and ‘securing a permanent future’ for Mona Vale Hospital.
Describing himself as a ‘lifelong learner,’ Mr Stokes says the decision to step down from politics has been made with a ‘heavy heart.’
“My instinct is it’s the right time to leave while I’m still energetic and enthusiastic and not leave it too late,” he says.
As for next steps, his ‘passion for people’ and ‘fascination with places’ are the values that will guide him. Supporting the Liberals and Nationals team as ‘part of the fight to return the Perrottet-Toole Government,’ is on the cards, as is indulging his passion for surfing and volunteering as patrol captain at Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club, the suburb in which he grew up.
“With three kids there is little time for hobbies for my wife Sophie and I, but I do love being outdoors,” he laughs.
Summing up his time in politics as ‘purposeful,’ it’s clear that Mr Stokes still feels just as passionate about the future of the government he is leaving behind.
“Developing a sustainable, inclusive and just society in which everyone feels safe, valued and supported, is my big hope going forwards,” he says.
BRAD HAZZARD
Minister for Health
Member for Wakehurst
After 32 years as Member for Wakehurst, including 12 as a Senior Cabinet Minister and 16 as a Shadow Minister, Health Minister Brad Hazzard is ready for a ‘new beginning,’ saying the recent death of his younger brother gave him a new perspective on life.
The former teacher and lawyer’s political roles – Attorney General and Minister for Planning, Justice, Social Housing, Community Services and Health – have afforded him the ‘very best and worst of times.’
“Delivering 180 new hospitals or health facilities and working with talented people in the health system, was the best, while the worst was undoubtedly the pandemic,” he says.
There is little hesitation when asked to pinpoint his most memorable achievements – his government’s 2019 decriminalisation of abortion, his input into the design and planning of Darling Harbour’s International Convention Centre, and the decade spent empowering Aboriginal communities in Bourke.
“It’s been a fun ride, with lots of opportunities and adventures,” he says, but it’s clear that success in the political arena has come at a cost.
“Politics has meant lack of any real private and family time and the turning point was when my brother passed away and I started to reflect on what I’d missed out on in life and how long I actually had left,” he adds.
Looking ahead, the 71-year-old would like to spend more time with ‘my wife Nicole, kids, dogs and friends,’ as well as doing a job that is ‘not 24/7,’ but allows some downtime – hopefully to be filled with motorbikes, fishing and flying.
Summing up three decades in politics, the MP says, “I think I’ve done the best I could, and I know some people won’t think I did, but I tried.”
Friend and colleague, Premier Perrottet, agrees – “He got into political life to make a difference and he delivered.”
JONATHAN O’DEA MP
NSW Legislative Assembly Speaker
Member for Davidson
When asked to sum up his 16-year career in politics in one word, Jonathan O’Dea, MP for Davidson and Speaker of the NSW Parliament, has no hesitation in saying, ‘fortunate.’
“Working alongside exceptional people, both in Parliament and the broader community, has been the highpoint,” the Lindfield local tells us, alongside being ranked ‘most responsive local MP’ by independent FairGO Votergrams.
Described by Premier Perrottet as a ‘vital contributor to the state,’ Mr O’Dea has been working for the community in the Davidson electorate since 2007.
His connection to the area goes back to childhood, when he and his eight siblings attended local schools, before he studied Arts and Law at Sydney University. He worked as a lawyer before deciding to enter politics due to a ‘strong desire to make a positive difference with my life.’
Along the way, he has delivered infrastructure investments in health, education, transport, and public recreation, while trying to balance local progress and environmental protection.
Enjoying that natural environment is a treasured pastime, with weekends spent playing tennis or bushwalking to his ‘favourite place,’ Echo Point in Roseville Chase, with his wife, Jacqueline, and their four sons.
Family support provided the inspiration to become Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Treasurer and Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Investment, before being appointed to Speaker of the NSW Parliament in 2019.
“I am extremely pleased to have helped modernise Parliament and increase public engagement,” he says of his time in the hot seat.
His decision to pass on his seat – the safest Liberal one in the state – stems from a wish for ‘renewal,’ and ‘to offer someone else the opportunity to serve.’
As for future plans, “nothing is lined up yet, but I will keep working, perhaps as a non-executive director on some boards (offers welcome!). I also plan to play tennis, read, and travel, plus enjoy better family time,” adds Mr O’Dea.
No doubt this long-serving MP – whose hope for the Liberal Party’s future is for ‘strong and unified representation of the local community,’ – will continue to follow progress keenly, no matter where his next challenge may take him.
By Catherine Lewis