A looming shake-up of Macquarie Street could spell contrasting fortunes for the region’s state politicians.
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Premier Mike Baird and NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro are planning a cabinet reshuffle, which is expected to be announced within weeks.
The reshuffle will almost certainly alter the careers of Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson – a key backer of new leader John Barilaro; and Murray MP Adrian Piccoli – the loyal deputy to ousted leader Troy Grant.
Member for Murray Adrian Piccoli – whose electorate takes in Griffith and Hay – is a likely casualty of the frontbench overhaul.
Mr Piccoli, who has been education minister for six years, did not recontest the NSW Nationals deputy leadership in mid-November after Troy Grant was rolled for the country party’s poor showing in the Orange by-election.
But the beleaguered minister has no plans to leave the frontbench.
“I’ve been in this portfolio for almost six years and education is heading in the right direction,” Mr Piccoli said.
“But there’s still more to do and I hope to be around to do it.
“I hope to retain the education portfolio.”
Mr Piccoli said “it helps” a community to be represented by a frontbencher, but was not necessary.
The NSW Primary Principals Association and NSW Teachers Federation have thrown their weight behind Mr Piccoli.
Katrina Hodgkinson was unceremoniously demoted courtesy of a press release in August, after she stood up to her government colleagues in defiance of the greyhound racing ban.
Ms Hodgkinson has been in the doghouse ever since, despite being vindicated six weeks later when Premier Baird admitted he’d made a colossal mistake and back-flipped on the ban.
However, Ms Hodgkinson – whose electorate takes in Junee, Gundagai and Narrandera – was hailed a hero by the Wagga greyhound community, which named a race Thank You Katrina Hodgkinson Stakes.
Wagga Greyhound Racing Club racing manager John Patton said NSW deserved more conviction politicians like Ms Hodgkinson.
“These days politicians tend to forget their constituents and when there's big issues at play,” Mr Patton said.
“Katrina stayed solid, so hopefully she gets the promotion.”
Ms Hodgkinson declined to comment.