MEMBER for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson has been dumped from the ministry in the Baird Government’s post-election reshuffle following an ambitious attempt to attain the second-highest position in state politics.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Coalition source has revealed Ms Hodgkinson challenged Deputy Premier Troy Grant for his position, however she was unsuccessful.
According to the Coalition source, Mr Grant didn’t take kindly to the leadership challenge and convinced Mr Baird to oust Ms Hodgkinson from her former role as Primary Industries Minister.
Ms Hodgkinson has been replaced by upper house Nationals MP Niall Blair, who added lands and water to the Primary Industries portfolio.
Ms Hodgkinson has accepted the loss of her ministerial position gracefully, commenting that her first duty is always to the electorate, and anything else is a bonus.
In the new frontbench revealed by the government last Wednesday, Ms Hodgkinson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Southern NSW.
