THE Riverina has lost its only minister in the NSW government after a reshuffle led to Adrian Piccoli being dumped.
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The Nationals MP, who had held the education portfolio, was omitted from the Coalition cabinet announced by new Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday.
The Member for Murray, who represents towns including Berrigan, Finley and Deniliquin, was dumped after six years in the role.
He said it had been a privilege to work in the position.
He will stay in Parliament.
“Education has the power to transform lives; that's why I think it is the greatest job a minister can have,” Mr Piccoli said.
“I can look back over my time as minister satisfied with what I have achieved.”
Mr Piccoli will be replaced by the Liberal member for Pittwater Rob Stokes.
The reshuffle followed former Premier Mike Baird’s retirement from politics.
A new ministry has been created for counter terrorism, with Corrections Minister David Elliott given the position.
Ms Berejiklian said the new minister was needed given the “circumstances our world is in”.
Member for Albury and former Liberal shadow minister Greg Aplin, said the government wanted to move on following the shake-up.
“I’m glad this period is now at an end,” he said.
“It’s really back to work in earnest for the whole team.
“It’s been a week of change.
“It’s about bedding down and it’s on with the job – I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Despite speculation Mr Piccoli’s demotion would lead to a watering down of Gonski education reforms, Mr Aplin said that would not happen.
“I can’t see that in the slightest,” he said.
“This region has done particularly well (from the reforms).
“Most of the schools have had enormous increases in funding as a result of the resource allocation model.
“We always knew there was going to be a reshuffle in January.
“It’s up to the new premier to take charge, which she clearly has done.”
The changes came after another Riverina politician left a cabinet position earlier this month.
Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, stood down from her position as Federal Health Minister over an expenses scandal.
She had charged taxpayers for flights to the Gold Coast, including a trip where she purchased an apartment.
