MEMBER for Albury Greg Aplin has no intention of following the lead of NSW Premier Mike Baird into retirement before the next state election.
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Mr Aplin boldly declared, if pre-selected, he would be the Liberal candidate at the next election due in 2019 and didn't rule out putting his hand up for a ministerial role in the pending reshuffle by the NSW Government.
Mr Baird made one visit to Albury as Premier in 2014 to open the replacement ambulance station on Wagga Road.
He bowed out of politics, effective immediately, on Thursday with his decision partly based on a desire to allow his replacement and a newlook cabinet to “settle in and reaffirm its own agenda” in the lead-up to the next election.
Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian, who visited Albury late last year to hose down concerns the city was missing out on its share of infrastructure spending compared to other regional centres, is the front-runner to takeover as Premier.
Mr Aplin has been in state politicis four more years than Mr Baird, but retirerment isn't on his agenda.
“I certainly have no intention of stepping aside from the work I am currently undertaking,” Mr Aplin said.
“If pre-selected I will be the Liberal candidate.
“My aim from here on is to work with the new leader and ensure we have their ear for the aspects that are relevant for the Albury electorate.”
The incumbent member is rarely challenged.
Asked whether he would be seeking his first ministerial appointment, Mr Aplin said: “I am pleased to serve in whatever capacity”.
Mr Aplin paid tribute to the outgoing Premier.
“He will leave a fantastic legacy,” Mr Aplin said.
“He has been one of the greatest Premiers we've had in terms of achievements on every single economic factor you can look at, unemployment the lowest in the nation, the number of jobs of created, housing approvals at all-time records, the credit rating is AAA stable.
“The state was a basket case when 2011 came around.”
He said the government's achievements, among others, in the Albury electorate included the Wagga Rd ambulance station completion, funding for multi-purpose health facilities at Holbrook, Culcairn and Tumbarumba, the long-awaited Riverina Highway improvements and a pending upgrade at Albury airport.
- More reports: P13