It is a remarkable turnaround – a few years ago, Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, was on a career back foot.
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In 2014 she was all but dumped from parliament after being placed in an unwinnable position on the NSW Legislative Council (upper house) ticket.
However, the long-serving Nationals MP was granted a lifeline after winning preselection to run as the candidate for Oxley after Andrew Stoner stepped down.
And that has paid dividends – for both the Nationals and Ms Pavey.
Today, the NSW Liberals and Nationals have handed her a ministerial position – Ms Pavey will be sworn in tomorrow as the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight.
In a statement, Ms Pavey said she was excited and thankful for today’s announcement by the recently sworn in NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.
“It is an honour to be part of the NSW Liberals-Nationals Cabinet team as Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, under the NSW Coalition Government.
“As a farmer’s daughter, with a background in small business and media, a former Shadow Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Member of the NSW Legislative Council for over 12 years, and now serving as Local Member for Oxley, I will bring energy, experience and knowledge to the new Nationals Ministry.
“I am looking forward to doing my part as the NSW Government continues its record investment in roads, bridges, boat ramps, wharves and freight rail lines. I will also ensure that the Oxley region receives adequate investment in new and improved local roads and other projects outside the large infrastructure projects currently underway in the region.
“I thank the leader of the NSW Nationals, and Deputy Premier, the Hon John Barilaro MP, for the opportunity to serve the people of NSW as a Minister, while I continue to represent the people of Oxley in Parliament.
“I must also acknowledge and thank my Parliamentary colleague, The Hon. Duncan Gay MLC, for his outstanding achievements during his time as the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight. Under his leadership, our Government has spent a record $38 billion on road, freight and waterway infrastructure since 2011.”
Melinda Pavey entered the Legislative Council in 2002 at the age of 33, shortly after the birth of her second child.
Health services have been her principal concern since being elected, and she served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health from 2011 to 2015.
Before entering parliament, Melinda owned and operated successful small businesses, worked as a reporter in radio and television, and was an advisor to Deputy Premiers Wal Murray and Ian Armstrong.
She became member for Oxley in NSW in March 2015.
Her rural electorate has a population of 70,500 and includes Wauchope, Kempsey and Nambucca Heads.
NSW will get its first ever minister for counter terrorism in the cabinet reshuffle announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with corrections minister David Elliott to add the role to his existing portfolio.
Unveiling the cabinet lineup in Queanbeyan on Sunday, Ms Berejiklian said the position had been created "unfortunately due to the circumstances our world is in".
Another new position, minister for WestConnex, has been handed to Penrith MP Stuart Ayres.
Among the biggest winners are two of Ms Berejiklian's strongest supporters: Hornsby MP Matt Kean and Legislative Council president Don Harwin.
Mr Kean enters cabinet as minister for innovation and better regulation and Mr Harwin becomes energy and resources minister.
Also into cabinet are Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies as minister for mental health, women and ageing, and Castle Hill MP Ray Williams, who takes over multiculturalism and disability services.
Sarah Mitchell will oversee childhood education and Aboriginal affairs and Adam Marshall will head up tourism and major events.
Three Nationals ministers have been dumped: Adrian Piccoli who had education, Duncan Gay who had the roads portfolio, and Leslie Williams, who had early childhood education and Aboriginal affairs.
Also out of cabinet is Liberal MLC John Ajaka, who was minister for ageing, disability services and multiculturalism. However, Mr Ajaka is a possible replacement for Mr Harwin as President of the Legislative Council.
Mr Piccoli will be replaced in education by Pittwater MP Rob Stokes, whose planning portfolio will be taken over by Lane Cove MP and former energy minister Anthony Roberts.
Brad Hazzard will move from family and community services to health.
Cronulla MP Mark Speakman moves to attorney-general, replacing Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton who takes over environment and local government.
Ryde MP Victor Dominello moves from innovation and better regulation to finance.
Andrew Constance remains transport minister and deputy Liberal leader Dominic Perrottet will move from finance to become Treasurer.
