UPPER Hunter MP George Souris has announced his retirement from NSW Parliament.
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Mr Souris said he would not recontest his seat at the next State Election to be held on March 28 next year.
There had been widespread speculation Mr Souris would step down from State politics after he was left out of Premier Mike Baird’s ministerial team following the resignation of former Premier Barry O’Farrell in April.
Mr Souris said it was his intention to seek re-election for another term prior to the events that saw him booted from the ministry.
“I was going to consider seeking an additional term but once I was no longer in the Cabinet it changed my perspective and I think it’s time to move on,” he said.
“I’ve had seven successive terms, 27 years in parliament and I think it’s the appropriate time to move and that’s what I’ll be doing.”
Mr Souris had been on the front bench as a minister or shadow minister for all but four of those years, serving in the Greiner, Fahey and O’Farrell cabinets.
He said the Upper Hunter electorate continued to face challenges, in particular in the availability of land for the agricultural, equine, viticultural and mining industries.
Mr Souris thanked local government representatives for their cooperation and assistance during his time in Parliament and passed on his gratitude to his parliamentary colleagues, constituents, staff, family and friends and the people of NSW.
“It has been a privilege to serve and I would like to thank the electorate which re-elected me for seven successive terms with a hefty margin and the National Party Upper Hunter Electorate Council, the many branches and members and the booth workers on election days,” he said.
“I also thank my family and friends and especially my wife Vassy who has been an integral part of my public life attending almost all electorate engagements, events and functions whenever possible.
“Finally, thanks to my electorate staff including Pam De Boer, with me for all 27 years and the State’s longest serving electorate secretary and Suzanne Andrews who have served the people of the electorate with distinction.”
Mr Souris said he would be interested in a role somewhere in the corporate or business sector and also serving the community voluntarily in some continuing way.
Upper Hunter mayor and National Party member Michael Johnsen confirmed he will seek pre-selection to be the party’s candidate for next year’s election.