NSW Liberal government in chaos with four Ministers sacked - that now makes seven

Opposition Leader John Robertson today said Mike Baird’s Cabinet reshuffle – forced by the chaotic resignation of Barry O’Farrell last week – showed the Liberal Government was disarray.

Mr Robertson said Mike Baird has promoted and protected failed Ministers – and turned his back on the regions with two Ministers from the Hunter sacked and someone from Sydney appointed to the Hunter Ministry.

“This reshuffle has nothing to do with rejuvenation – this reshuffle was forced on the government by the resignation of a Premier last week ......” Mr Robertson said.

“We have now seen 7 ministers and a Premier sacked or resign in just 12 months – with this instability very different to what the community voted for in 2011.

“Mike Baird has promoted Brad Hazzard to the position of Attorney-General despite bungling the planning portfolio – and he has promoted Pru Goward despite overseeing cuts to caseworker numbers and leaving more vulnerable children at risk than ever before.

“We have also seen Mike Baird fail to remove Health Minister Jillian Skinner despite overseeing the longest wait time for elective surgery in the country and longer waiting times in emergency rooms.

“We also now have a Minister for Western Sydney who lives in Manly, a Minister for the Hunter who lives in Willoughby and a Minister for the Illawarra from Rockdale.

“Just eight weeks out from the NSW budget we now have a rookie Treasurer and Finance Minister.

“The last thing NSW needs is a Treasurer and Finance Minister on their L-plates – especially after Mike Baird himself made a billion dollar error with the budget in 2011.

“Today’s reshuffle shows just how out of touch Mike Baird is – with his new Cabinet not properly reflecting the whole of NSW.”

Mr Robertson said Mike Baird had also reduced the number of women in his Cabinet – another demonstration of just how out of touch he was with the community.

“Mike Baird should not be reducing the number of women in Cabinet,” Mr Robertson said.

“In only a few days we have already seen Mike Baird’s extreme agenda for NSW – with plans to privatise electricity, privatise hospitals and increase the GST.

“Mike Baird is now in charge of a government in disarray and chaos – with extreme plans that will only hurt families across the state.”