New South Wales health minister Brad Hazard announces retirement from politics

New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazard has announced he will retire from politics in the 2023 state elections after leading the state through the health crisis of the pandemic.

Mr Hazard is the latest of five cabinet ministers to announce they are stepping down ahead of the next election.

The 71-year-old reflected on “many nights of anguish” of the pandemic, calling it “a painful and very upsetting time when quick decisions had to be made to keep 8.5 million people safe from the virus.” expressed.

The minister has become a household name and a constant presence during the pandemic as he provided daily health Covid-19 updates alongside Dr. Kelly Chant and Gladys Berejiklian.

“The worst times have come with COVID-19,” Hazard said in a statement released late Monday night.

“All I can say to the NSW community is that we have done our best to keep everyone safe.”

The longest-serving member of the House of Representatives thanked his wife and family, as well as his staff, in a statement announcing his decision.

Hazard emphasized his family’s support “especially in the past three years, which has been plagued by the novel coronavirus.”

Prime Minister Dominic Perrotet thanked Mr Hazard for his “unrelenting efforts to serve the people of New South Wales” and said “the state is in a better place thanks to Brad’s tremendous contributions”. .

“After more than 30 years in the spotlight, we fully understand that this is the right time for Brad to focus on family, friends, and his health and well-being,” Perrottet said.

“I would like to thank Brad’s family and friends for their support during his long political career.”

Hazard joins Transport Secretary David Elliott, Urban Secretary Rob Stokes, Customer Service Secretary Victor Dominero and Corrections Secretary Jeff Lee, announcing that he will retire at the next election.

Hazard has been in state politics for more than 30 years, having been elected to Wakehurst’s legislature in 1991.

He joined the Cabinet in 2011 and was appointed Minister of Planning and Infrastructure and Assistant to the Prime Minister in the Barry O’Farrell administration.

He later served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice in the Baird Cabinet.

Hazard took over as health minister from January 2017, following Mike Baird’s resignation.