NSW: Shadow treasurer Stephen O'Doherty resigns

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2001
NSW: Shadow treasurer Stephen O'Doherty resigns

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - NSW opposition treasurer and spokesman for small business Stephen
O'Doherty has quit state parliament.

Mr O'Doherty cited family reasons as the number one factor for his resignation, but
said he would be taking up a position as chief executive officer of a new education organisation
next year.

Mr O'Doherty, the meber for Hornsby, said he would be stepping down early in the new year.

"I have always felt a wrench between the necessary demands of public life and my desire
to be the best husband and father I could be, and this has weighed very heavily on my
mind especially during the past year," he told reporters.

Mr O'Doherty was first elected to parliament in August 1992 and has served in the opposition
cabinet continuously since 1995.

He held the portfolios of education and training, community services, disability services
and ageing, as well as treasury and small business.

Mr O'Doherty was flanked my his wife and two children as he made the announcement today.

Opposition leader Kerry Chikarovski was absent.

Mr O'Doherty's resignation comes only a year out from the state election, which is
due in March 2003.

But he denied he was deserting Ms Chikarovski at a time when strong leadership was
needed within the opposition.

"The shadow cabinet is coming to the end of a vital phase in the policy development
process," he said.

"At Kerry's (Chikarovski) request I have played an integral part of that process as
a member of the Policy Review Committee in addition to my portfolios.

"Before the next phase begins it is timely for me to step aside to allow Kerry (Chikarovski)
to nominate a new shadow treasurer to have final input into the last phase of policy development."

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