The shock resignation of NSW Premier Mike Baird has cast a further shadow of doubt over whether Murray MP Adrian Piccoli will retain his place on the frontbench ahead of the upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
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On Thursday morning Mr Piccoli said he hadn’t known of Mr Baird’s plans to retire, but wasn’t entirely surprised at the announcement the Premier would leave politics next week saying it was an indication of what a “decent person” he was.
“He always said he was in there to make a difference, he wasn’t in there for a 20 year political career and there are some personal issues, illness in the family as well,” he said on Thursday morning.
“I think it is a sign of the decency of the guy, it is not all about him, there’s no ego here.
“He will be remembered as a decent man first and foremost and then as a great Premier.”
Mr Piccoli, who has been Education Minister for the past six years, said he hoped to keep his portfolio in the upcoming Coalition cabinet reshuffle.
“I have said it plenty of times before, I would like to keep my portfolio as Education Minister,” he said.
Education leaders previously unanimously threw their support behind Mr Piccoli in November when his position was thrown into doubt after the election of new NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro.
But the Murray MP emphasised it was not his only concern.
“I am part of a government and my primary concern is form my electorate and I think my electorate is best served by a Coalition government,” he said.
Mr Piccoli said the Liberal Party Leadership spill would not directly impact the National Party.
“This is what it is, this is what happens in politics,” he said.
Premier Mike Baird and NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro had planned a cabinet reshuffle recently, which was expected to be announced within weeks.
The reshuffle was thought to almost certainly alter the career of Mr Piccoli after playing a loyal role as deputy to ousted Nationals leader Troy Grant.
Mr Piccoli was thought to be 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.
