Northern Beaches politician and serving Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, is a few days away from retiring after more than 30 years.
Why? Well, the veteran politician is a bit over it.
“I think it’s fair to say that after 32 years I may have another four years in me, but Covid really has – like so many people – had an impact on me,” he revealed to local broadcaster Michael Lester on his program Community Voices on Radio Northern Beaches.
“The last three years has been more like 10 years,” Mr Hazzard continued. “The concept of working again in the Health portfolio – in any portfolio really – is a little too much to cope with. I always felt that I would never go to an election unless I knew that I would be there for the full four years. But I just wasn’t sure that I had that in me.”
Hazzardous Conditions
Mr Hazzard grew up on the Northern Beaches, attending Manly West Public School and Manly Boys High School, and, after obtaining university qualifications, raised his two sons on the Northern Beaches too.
He undertook a Diploma of Education followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science at Macquarie University, then studied Law at the University of New South Wales before completing a Master of Laws at Sydney University.
After the NSW Liberals formed government in March 2011, Mr Hazzard, with his university qualifications in both education and law, held a variety of commanding portfolios.
These include the NSW ministries of Planning and Infrastructure (April 2011 – April 2014), Justice (April 2014 – April 2015), Family and Community Services (April 2015 – January 2017), Social Housing (April 2015 – 30 January 2017) and, lastly, the Minister for Health (from January 2017), which encompassed the global COVID-19 pandemic.
He was also Attorney General of New South Wales from April 2014 – April 2015 and has served under four successive Liberal Premiers: Dominic Perrottet, Gladys Berejiklian, Mike Baird and Barry O’Farrell.
Mr Hazzard’s staffer Toby Williams, is now seeking election in the upcoming election. You can read about Toby Williams in our Wakehurst seat wrap up, to be published on our website shortly.
While Wakehurst is a tightly held Liberal seat, there may be a possible upset with Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan running for the seat as an Independent.
Mr Regan told Manly Observer, “I had an excellent working relationship with Brad, particularly during Covid. I thank him for his service to the community. I have a lot of respect for anybody who serves their community in their capacity as an elected official, particularly in the modern world, and dealing with social media.
“I wish him a well-earned break and time for himself and his family, and look forward to catching up with him for an overdue long lunch.”
You can hear the full interview between Michael Lester and Brad Hazzard here:
