cholly
Somebody's Left Shoe
the premier announces he is quitting politics. less than a week later his deputy also quits. there has got to be something seriously wrong with the state government....
Refshauge quits NSW politics
10:47 AEST Tue Aug 2 2005
AAP
NSW Treasurer and Deputy Premier Andrew Refshauge has announced he is to quit parliament next week.
Dr Refshauge's resignation follows the retirement of NSW Premier Bob Carr, who will be succeeded by new Labor premier Morris Iemma.
Dr Refshauge said it was time to move on.
"You might ask why didn't I make this decision earlier," Dr Refshauge told reporters.
"I think it is fair enough to say that when Bob decided that he would leave I responded as I suppose any medical practitioner would, I took an analytical approach to it."
Dr Refshauge, who also held the state development and Aboriginal affairs portfolios, was Bob Carr's loyal deputy for 17 years.
He was appointed treasurer in January following the retirement of Michael Egan.
Before entering parliament as the member for Marrickville in 1983, Dr Refshauge, 56, worked as a doctor in Aboriginal health and co-founded the Doctors Reform Society.
Dr Refshauge, a member of Labor's Left faction, said he thought it was the right time to leave parliament.
"Since (Carr's resignation), I have been able to see what my feelings are, my thoughts and you might have noticed it was a very sunny weekend as well," he said.
"I think the time is right," he said.
"Bob and I got in (to parliament) on the same day. Maybe our replacement should come in on the same day too."
Dr Refshauge told reporters he made the decision on Monday night, and contacted incoming premier Morris Iemma about his decision.
"I've decided that the time is right to move on to other things," Dr Refshauge said.
"What they will be, I don't know.
"But the time is right, I have decided it's right to leave."
He wished Mr Iemma the best of luck.
Mr Iemma will be formally elected premier by the Labor caucus on Tuesday morning.
The Labor caucus is expected to elect a new deputy premier next week.
Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt and Transport Minister John Watkins are considered the front runners for the position.
Ms Tebbutt, a member of the upper house, is also a possible replacement for Dr Refshauge in the Sydney seat of Marrickville.
Dr Refshauge said Mr Iemma had offered to allow him to continue as treasurer, but he had decided to retire from politics.
"He implied very clearly that he would be wanting me to stay as treasurer," said Dr Refshauge.
Dr Refshauge is expected to quit next Tuesday, when caucus meets.
Refshauge quits NSW politics
10:47 AEST Tue Aug 2 2005
AAP
NSW Treasurer and Deputy Premier Andrew Refshauge has announced he is to quit parliament next week.
Dr Refshauge's resignation follows the retirement of NSW Premier Bob Carr, who will be succeeded by new Labor premier Morris Iemma.
Dr Refshauge said it was time to move on.
"You might ask why didn't I make this decision earlier," Dr Refshauge told reporters.
"I think it is fair enough to say that when Bob decided that he would leave I responded as I suppose any medical practitioner would, I took an analytical approach to it."
Dr Refshauge, who also held the state development and Aboriginal affairs portfolios, was Bob Carr's loyal deputy for 17 years.
He was appointed treasurer in January following the retirement of Michael Egan.
Before entering parliament as the member for Marrickville in 1983, Dr Refshauge, 56, worked as a doctor in Aboriginal health and co-founded the Doctors Reform Society.
Dr Refshauge, a member of Labor's Left faction, said he thought it was the right time to leave parliament.
"Since (Carr's resignation), I have been able to see what my feelings are, my thoughts and you might have noticed it was a very sunny weekend as well," he said.
"I think the time is right," he said.
"Bob and I got in (to parliament) on the same day. Maybe our replacement should come in on the same day too."
Dr Refshauge told reporters he made the decision on Monday night, and contacted incoming premier Morris Iemma about his decision.
"I've decided that the time is right to move on to other things," Dr Refshauge said.
"What they will be, I don't know.
"But the time is right, I have decided it's right to leave."
He wished Mr Iemma the best of luck.
Mr Iemma will be formally elected premier by the Labor caucus on Tuesday morning.
The Labor caucus is expected to elect a new deputy premier next week.
Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt and Transport Minister John Watkins are considered the front runners for the position.
Ms Tebbutt, a member of the upper house, is also a possible replacement for Dr Refshauge in the Sydney seat of Marrickville.
Dr Refshauge said Mr Iemma had offered to allow him to continue as treasurer, but he had decided to retire from politics.
"He implied very clearly that he would be wanting me to stay as treasurer," said Dr Refshauge.
Dr Refshauge is expected to quit next Tuesday, when caucus meets.
