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For the first time since 1965, the people of Bathurst have a NSW government minister as their local member.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole will be sworn-in as new Premier Mike Baird’s Local Government Minister today – and he is emphatic neither his electorate nor his family life will suffer due to his elevation.
Gus Kelly was the last local member to be awarded a ministerial role.
Mr Toole said he received the surprising phone call at 6.30pm on Monday, spoke with his wife Jo and then accepted the role.
“What a great honour and opportunity I’ve been given,” he said yesterday.
At 43, Mr Toole is one of the youngest ministers in Mr Baird’s cabinet, although Mr Baird himself is only 46.
The Member for Bathurst believes he was chosen for the ministerial position because of his hard work in his electorate and his extensive local government experience.
But he has challenges ahead of him.
The final report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel, released in January, found it was “absolutely clear” NSW could not sustain its existing 152 councils.
The report said “very few voluntary mergers of councils have occurred over the years, and the panel sees little prospect of many more”.
Mr Toole reiterated yesterday the NSW Government has a policy of no forced amalgamations.
He thanked the previous minister Don Page, who Mr Toole said had worked tirelessly over the last three years to reform local government.
“This reform is about making sure we lay the foundations for a stronger, sustainable local government sector,” Mr Toole said.
“At times tough decisions have to be made, just as they have been made over the past three years.”
Mr Toole believes he is a good fit for the local government portfolio because of the number of years he has spent as a councillor, deputy mayor and mayor.
“At the end of the day I am someone who engages with people,” he said.
“I will listen to councils across the state and support them in delivering infrastructure and services to the communities they represent.”
Mr Toole said having a minister as a local member will be an advantage for the Bathurst electorate.
“What it does is it gives me a greater voice where the real decisions are made,” he said.
“I will be at the table where the premier and ministers are involved in any decision-making.
“While I like to win every argument, there will be times when I won’t, but it won’t be for lack of expressing an opinion.”
Mr Toole was clear in saying his ministerial elevation will not mean his electorate suffers.
“My electorate comes first and I will make sure my constituents here will not be disadvantaged,” he said.
“I am also a strong family man and my wife and three children will be at the forefront. I will make sure I always have time for them.
“I don’t want to miss the opportunity to see them grow up, and I will always be mindful of that in any commitments I undertake.”
Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has been elevated to the position of Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing, and Minister for the Arts.
Mr Toole said this will give the Central West a strong voice in the new cabinet.