HUNTER politicians have welcomed Jodi McKay as NSW Labor leader, saying they hope her background will help the party reconnect with regional voters and deliver spending.
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Swansea MP Yasmin Catley, who has been touted as a contender for deputy, said she was a "huge supporter" of former Newcastle MP Ms McKay.
"She has a strong collaborative team around her within the Parliament and an even stronger rank and file and trade union Labor movement around her out in the electorate," Ms Catley said.
She said she was "considering" the role of deputy and would meet with left caucus colleagues on Monday.
"We had a very collaborative and cooperative approach to the leadership and we don't want to change that."
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington, who had been considering joining the leadership race but endorsed Ms McKay, said the party had "laid the solid foundations it needs" to return to government in 2023.
"Jodi has the strength, integrity, experience and expertise to unite our party, lead our movement and inspire confidence in Labor across all of NSW, from the city to the regions," Ms Washington said.
"Today NSW Labor unites and we fight - for the marginalised and vulnerable, for workers and our environment."
Newcastle MP and Labor caucus chair Tim Crakanthorp added "Jodi knows Newcastle and the Hunter well and this will put the region in good stead".
"It's now time to unite as a party and take the fight up to the Liberals all the way to the next election."
Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison said she was "very pleased" Ms McKay had won.
"Jodi is truly interested in people - she's a listener and she knows the Hunter," Ms Harrison said.
"The actions she takes have integrity and incorporate fairness as well as people's aspirations."
Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said Ms McKay's "x-factor" was "her ability to understand what makes the Hunter tick and how we are as people - we're honest, hardworking and just want a fair go".
"In her initial speech she identified regional NSW as where we as a party need to reconnect." Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said Ms McKay would be a "great leader" and her broad background was a significant strength.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was "looking forward to - with Jodi's knowledge of the Hunter - making sure she lobbies for projects in the Wallsend electorate I've been working on for a long time".
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
