NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announces he will retire from politics

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has announced that he will quit politics at the 2023 state election after a decades long career and 10 years in cabinet.

Mr Hazzard is the latest minister to announce that he will retire ahead of the next election.

The longest serving member of the lower house thanked his wife and family as well as his staff in a statement announcing his decision, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Mr Hazzard highlighted his family’s support “especially over these pasty three Covid-challenged years”.

The 71-year-old also noted the “many anguished nights” of the pandemic that was a “gruelling and deeply upsetting time where rapid decisions had to be made to try and keep 8.5 million people safe from the virus.”

The minister became a household name and constant presence during the pandemic as he gave daily health Covid-19 updates alongside Dr Kerry Chant and Gladys Berejiklian.

Premier Dominic Perrottet thanked Mr Hazzard for “his tireless commitment to serving the people of New South Wales”, saying that the state “is in a better place thanks to Brad’s significant contribution”.

“I completely understand that after more than thirty years of high profile public service, now is the right time for Brad to focus on his family, friends and his health and wellbeing,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I place on record my gratitude to Brad’s family and friends for supporting him in his long political career.”

Mr Hazzard joins Transport Minister David Elliott, Cities Minister Rob Stokes, Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello and Corrections Minister Geoff Lee who have all announced they will retire at the next election.

Mr Hazzard has spent more than 30 years in state politics after being elected as the Member for Wakehurst in 1991.

He entered Cabinet in 2011 when he was appointed as the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and Minister Assisting the Premier in the Barry O’Farrell government.

He was then sworn in as Attorney General and the Minister for Justice in the Baird Cabinet.

Following Mike Baird’s resignation, Mr Hazzard was sworn in as Minister for Health from January 2017.

Originally published as NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announces he will retire from politics