NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced a re-shuffle to his frontbench MPs, following the previous transport minister Jo Haylen’s resignation over the misuse of a ministerial driver for a winery lunch.
John Graham, who was the roads, jobs and tourism and arts minister, was appointed interim transport minister in the wake of the scandal and will now take the transport reins full time. He will also be maintaining roles for special minister of the state, minister for the arts and minister for music and night-time economy.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australasia’s bus and coach industry
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly ABC magazine
Graham will continue to take carriage of the government’s response to the toll review given it is in the midst of negotiations with toll companies about reforming the system.
The roads portfolio however will now be handed to Jenny Aitchison, who will also retain her regional transport ministership.
“As a regional MP Jenny Aitchison is well placed to ensure the needs of regional and rural communities are met,” Premier Chris Minns says.
Steve Kamper will be sworn in as the jobs and tourism minister, in addition to his responsibilities as the lands and property minister, the multiculturalism minister and sport minister.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, who’s held the seat in the state’s north since 2019, has been promoted to cabinet for the first time to take on the disaster recovery, small business and north coast portfolios.
“Janelle is one of the most experienced MPs in the NSW government. She has been instrumental in helping the Lismore community and surrounds recover from the 2022 floods as well as the recent impacts from Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” Minns says.
“She has intimate knowledge of the workings of the NSW Reconstruction Authority and will be a very strong advocate and voice for the North Coast as well as small businesses across the state.”
Emily Suvaal will also be appointed as the parliamentary secretary for trade and small business where she will be supporting ministers and driving action to deliver on government priorities in Parliament.
“These are important changes to the NSW Ministry that will ensure we continue to invest in essential services that people rely on, and build a better NSW,” Minns says.