Bronnie Taylor MLC has been sworn in as the first female deputy leader of the NSW National Party in more than 100 years. Photo: Twitter.
Nimmitabel’s Bronnie Taylor is the first female deputy leader of the NSW National Party in more than a century.
A member of the Legislative Council since 2015, the Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women said she was honoured to have been appointed to the position.
“It’s a huge honour representing a party that is solely dedicated to fighting for the people of regional and rural NSW,” she said.
“I will continue to fight hard and deliver for our regional communities, working alongside our new leader Paul Toole MP.”
Ms Taylor was sworn in to her new role by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW, at Government House in Sydney on Wednesday 6 October 2021.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said Ms Taylor had been a “powerhouse” and “worked tirelessly as Minister for Mental Health at a critical time, ensuring vital support is there for people who need it in the aftermath of drought, bushfires and the pandemic”.
“In Bronnie, the NSW Nationals have elected the first female deputy leader of the party in more than 100 years, and she will continue to be a voice for progress within the Government,” he added.
Mr Perrottet welcomed the election of Paul Toole as leader of the NSW Nationals and as Deputy Premier, and Ms Taylor as the party’s deputy leader.
“In electing Paul Toole to lead their party, the NSW Nationals have sent a strong signal that the NSW Liberals and Nationals will continue to build a better future for the bush with energy and optimism,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As a loyal deputy in the NSW Nationals to departing Deputy Premier John Barilaro, Paul knows what it takes to lead, and I want to again thank John for his service to the people of NSW.
“Paul is a fighter and a pragmatist who has a strong track record of delivering for regional and rural NSW, most recently as the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads.
“He has been a strong voice within the Government and has stood up for regional farming communities in times of drought, flood and fire, and is a staunch advocate for investing in new opportunities for people in the bush.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, we have an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen our regions and make them even more attractive places to live, work, run a business and raise a family.”
Paul Toole was elected leader of the NSW Nationals and Deputy Premier and Bronnie Taylor as the party’s deputy leader. Photo: Facebook.
For 20 years prior to her election, Ms Taylor was a registered nurse specialising in cancer care and palliative care and is the former Director of Cancer Services for the Southern New South Wales Local Health District.
She spent eight years as a clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, both in the city and the Monaro, three years as a clinical nurse consultant in cancer care, and four years as one of the original Breast Care Nurses for the McGrath Foundation.
Ms Taylor served as the Deputy Mayor of the Cooma-Monaro Shire.
In August 2016 she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Southern NSW and Regional Communications and in January 2017, became Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier and Southern NSW.
Ms Taylor is married with two daughters and is part of a family farming operation at Nimmitabel.
Following the resignation of John Barilaro as Leader of the National Party at the weekend, Ms Taylor said he encouraged her to run for Parliament and has “never stopped supporting me since”.
“As a politician, he has been a true leader – strategic, fearless and fiercely loyal, intellectual, extremely hardworking and, above all, the biggest supporter of the bush,” she said.
“Under his leadership, our regions have flourished with unprecedented investment into the bush.
“John established the department of Regional NSW as a delivery agency, fought tooth and nail to secure the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund and delivered our transformational Special Activation Precincts.
“As Member for Monaro, John has secured new schools, established a special activation precinct at Jindabyne and secured the protection of our iconic brumbies.
“John has been a true champion and hero for Southern NSW.”
Original Article published by Katrina Condie on About Regional.
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