JOHN ROBERTSON MP

NSW OPPOSITION LEADER

MEDIA STATEMENT
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
While I have received a number of messages of support from members of the Labor
Caucus it has become clear to me that I have lost the support of some of my senior
colleagues.
The next election is so important that Labor must be united behind the Leader.
And so as a lifelong Labor man I have chosen to step aside as Labor Leader to give
Labor this opportunity.
I have dedicated my life to standing up for the interests of everyday working people.
I got my first taste of politics at age 10, campaigning with my father for the election of
Gough Whitlam in 1972.
I have proudly represented working people as a union organiser and head of the
trade union movement.
The people I have met and the people I have helped have shaped who I am.
I was never motivated by politics or seeking high office.
I just wanted to serve the community and make a difference to peoples lives.
Serving as the Leader of the Labor Party has been a great honour.
I came into the job in difficult circumstances off the back of the last election.
I accepted the challenge of helping Labor to find its best self.
The Labor Party that we all know and respect.
The party that stands up for working people and good public services.
Over the past four years Ive dedicated myself to this task.

We have dragged Labor out of the pit of electoral oblivion.

I have rid the Party of those who betrayed the Labor cause.
Ive been proud to lead internal reforms.
Moving to direct election of the NSW Labor Leader and running the first community
pre-selections.
Im proud that Labor has led the way in cleaning up politics in New South Wales.
We are steadily building a new culture of integrity and corruption resistance a far
far cry from the culture I inherited as Leader.
We have made huge progress.
Implemented major internal reforms.
Taken on big policy issues like supporting a second airport at Badgerys Creek and
taking action to stop alcohol fuelled violence
This has helped our party to secure wins in by-elections including the biggest swing
in the states history.
We have exposed the Governments cuts to our hospitals, schools and TAFE.
We have brought attention to the Governments privatisation of our electricity
network, ports and hospitals.
This is what is at stake at the next election.
Being elected as a local MP is a great honour and it also comes with a duty to
represent all the people in their area.
This is why I made a conscious decision that my office would be there to serve
everyone in the Blacktown community.
Even if I wasnt willing to advocate or support their cause I would at least facilitate
them in putting their request to the appropriate government agency.
However I accept how this letter may appear given recent events.
The tragic events at Martin Place touched the lives of people across our city, state
and nation.
My heart goes out to the victims and their families, especially today.
I offer them my sincere condolences and they should know that we are all grieving
with them.
Finally, being a Labor man means fighting for fairness. And it is a fight.

Fairness is only the right of Australians because Australians have fought for it.
In the history of NSW it has been Labor leading the fight.
I am disappointed that after four years of preparation I will not have the chance to
lead the party to the election.
But because the fight is bigger than any one of us I pledge my full support to the next
Leader of NSW Labor and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.
I thank my staff who have been tireless. A great team who have served me and
Labor exceptionally well, many who have become friends.
I thank my wife Julie for her love and unconditional support. I look forward to actually
seeing her once more!
And I thank my family and friends for their unwavering support.
To my colleagues thank you for the great honour of leading NSW Labor.
I am proud of how far we have taken Labor in New South Wales over the last four
years.
Despair has become hope and confusion has become conviction.
I am confident that off the back of this work Labor will be a genuine alternative at the
next election.
-ENDS-