New South Wales’ first female Attorney General Gabrielle Upton has announced her retirement. She has decided not to recontest the seat of Vaucluse at the next state election in March 2023.
Upton made history when she became the first female Attorney General in NSW and the first female Liberal sports minister. For almost twelve years, she has also represented her local area, Vaucluse, as member of parliament, served as a minister in four portfolios and was parliamentary secretary to two premiers.
“I have given everything I have to this calling – my heart, energy and passion- and I have loved every minute of it. That said, I know in my heart that this is the right time to retire. It is the time for someone else to take my place and for me to do something new,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
During her time in office, Upton executed a number of changes. As the NSW Attorney General, she led reforms to support child victims in child sexual assault proceedings and as Environment Minister, introduced the Return and Earn container deposit scheme, which was the largest litter reduction scheme to be introduced in NSW.
Over the last three years, she also led NSW’s first $60 million accelerating R&D Action Plan to create new jobs and industries that drive the state’s economy.
In her statement, Upton said she’s grateful to all the people who have supported her as Attorney General, including her family. She also thanked the Liberal Party and the Vaucluse State Electorate Conference, as well as the people in Vaucluse who elected her three times as representative in the NSW Parliament.
Some notable local achievements include Upton’s success in securing $80 million to close the wastewater outfalls at Diamond Bay and Vaucluse and end decades of untreated wastewater being pumped into the ocean. She also delivered $26 million for disability access including lifts at Edgecliff Station to give residents easier, safer access between the train, shops and bus station at this major transport hub.
“We have achieved so much together– upgrades to our public transport network, local schools, parks, playgrounds, hospitals, cycleways and roads and better protection for our natural environment and heritage,” says Upton. “Together, we also made it through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding has also been increased for domestic violence and mental health support and for our homelessness services.”
Upton will continue to serve out her term as the member for Vaucluse and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier in the lead up to the 2023 State Election.
“I am very optimistic about the future of this great State under the Liberal Nationals Government and leadership of Dom Perrottet as Premier. I truly believe that NSW is a place where every person, irrespective of their background and circumstances, has the best opportunities to live, work and raise a family.”