After an extraordinary and deeply rewarding almost twelve years in public life, I have decided that I will not contest the next New South Wales State Election in March 2027. 

This has not been an easy decision. Serving our local community and the people of New South Wales has been the greatest honour of my life. The trust that our community has placed in me across three elections is something for which I will always be profoundly grateful.

When I entered Parliament in 2015, I did so with a commitment to make a positive difference to the lives of local families and to help build a stronger future for our community and our State. Looking back, I am proud of what has been achieved. 

During my time as the local member, our community has benefited from many billions of dollars of investment by the former Liberal State Government in essential local infrastructure. 

This has included more than four hundred million dollars in major upgrades to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, significant investments in all of our local public primary and high schools, train accessibility upgrades so that there are now lifts at every station in the electorate, the NorthConnex which has returned Pennant Hills Rd to the community, upgrades to the Pacific Highway, and the Gordon transport interchange and commuter car park. 

I have also proudly encouraged the NSW Government to support our local Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter, Rotary and Lions Clubs, Scouts and Girl Guides, the Ku-ring-gai Youth Development Services (KYDS), and StreetWork and provide new facilities and equipment for our local Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Lifeline H2H, and St John Ambulance.

The former State Liberal Government also made substantial investments in local sporting infrastructure during my time in Parliament, including the construction of the new PCYC in Waitara, Mark Taylor Oval (Cricket and Rugby Union), Westleigh Park ($40m that Labor shamefully wants back), Bannockburn Oval (Little Athletics), the NTRA (Football), Turramurra Oval (Rugby Union, Rugby League and Cricket), St Ives High (Basketball), Ku-ring-gai High (Hockey and Basketball), and other sports infrastructure or support for Netball, Cricket, Baseball and Softball, Football, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Basketball, Little Athletics, Water Polo, Swimming, Golf, Lawn Bowls, Hockey, Table Tennis, Badminton, Mountain Biking and Croquet. Through the Creative and Active Kids voucher program which Labor has axed, our local Arts and community sport flourished under the former Liberal State Government. 

My Parliamentary service has also given me the privilege to serve as a Cabinet Minister and Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly. As the third most Senior Liberal Minister in the Legislative Assembly in 2022 leading up to the 2023 election, I worked closely with the Premier and was part of the senior Ministerial leadership team.  My Ministerial responsibilities have included serving as the Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade; Science, Innovation and Technology; Skills and Training; Family, Community Services and Disability; and Sport. In Opposition, I have served as Shadow Attorney-General, Manager of Opposition Business, Shadow Minister for Government Accountability and Shadow Special Minister of State.

These roles have given me opportunities and experiences I could never have imagined when I first entered public life. They have also allowed me to meet remarkable people from every corner of our State and to witness firsthand the resilience, generosity and aspiration that makes New South Wales such a special place.

No Member of Parliament achieves anything alone. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the outstanding electorate and ministerial office staff with whom I have had the privilege to work. I also thank my Liberal and National Party colleagues, some of whom have become close friends.

Most importantly, I thank my family and friends. Public life places significant demands not only on elected representatives but also on those who support them. Their encouragement and sacrifice have sustained me throughout my Parliamentary career.

I acknowledge the dedication of local Liberal Party members and volunteers, whose commitment to our community and our democratic institutions deserves recognition.  I look forward to an open and democratic preselection contest for our Liberal candidate in Wahroonga. It is my desire that the most outstanding person is democratically selected by the Liberal Party free of factional influences, which is what the people of Wahroonga deserve.

I will continue to work with our community as its local Member until March 2027.  As I look forward to the next chapter of my professional life, I do so with immense pride in what we have achieved together. At the conclusion of my Parliamentary service, I intend to return to the private sector, including practise as a barrister.

I thank the people of the former Ku-ring-gai and current Wahroonga electorates for their engagement and support. For three decades, this community has been my home and the place where my children were born, educated and have prospered. To have earned the trust of its residents and to have represented them in the Parliament of New South Wales for three terms has been an extraordinary privilege and honour.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. The protection and maintenance of our unique local area requires eternal vigilance. I look forward to supporting an endorsed Liberal Party candidate for Wahroonga at the next State Election who is committed to that task.