After more than 15 years of service, Member for Davidson Jonathan O’Dea has announced he will not recontest his seat at the March 2023 NSW election.
As a local Member since 2007, Jonathan has delivered major infrastructure investments in health, education, transport and public recreation for his electorate of Davidson. He has advocated locally for a sensible balance between progress and protection for the built and natural environment. He has also represented NSW on the international executive of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
As Speaker of the NSW Parliament since 2019, Jonathan has overseen the running of the parliamentary precinct, including during the challenging pandemic environment.
He has driven substantial reform to modernise Parliament’s infrastructure and systems, increase public education and engagement, and lift professional standards.
“It has been an enormous privilege to represent the people of NSW alongside my parliamentary colleagues. I will now seek new opportunities in moving to the next phase of my working life,” said Mr O’Dea.
Parliamentary colleagues offered the following comments:
Premier Dominic Perrottet said that Mr O’Dea was “a vital contributor to the State, with a particular legacy of effectively managing COVID-19 restrictions in the Parliament during the pandemic. I thank Jonathan for his outstanding contribution and dedication.”
Opposition Leader Chris Minns observed, “O’Dea has significantly changed the culture of the Legislative Assembly by bringing to the role of Speaker a measure of impartiality that has ensured improved accountability of the executive in the best traditions of the Westminster system. From an Opposition perspective, O’Dea has run the Legislative Assembly like an independent and that’s a credit to him.”
Senior Independent MP Greg Piper said that “Jonathan O’Dea has served with diligence and integrity. He has always been thoughtful in making decisions and sought the best outcome for all. As Speaker, he has done much to improve the operation of the Parliament, including the behaviour within the Chamber.”
