MEMBER for Wagga Daryl Maguire says he has no complaints despite missing out on a role in NSW Premier Mike Baird's new-look cabinet.
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The Advertiser can exclusively reveal Mr Maguire has held on to his role as the parliamentary secretary to the Premier for rural and regional affairs, with his re-appointment to be officially announced in the coming days.
"(Mr Baird) rang me (on Monday) and asked if I would continue the role for him, and I said, 'with pleasure'," Mr Maguire said.
Mr Maguire, the Coalition whip from April 2003 until February when he was promoted to the parliamentary secretary role, was left out of the ministry despite his successor, Jai Rowell, being elevated to cabinet after less than two months in the role.
But Mr Maguire insists he's happy just to look after the Wagga electorate and the issues facing the state's regional areas.
"If I wanted to be the Treasurer or whatever then I would have advocated for it," he said.
"I would rather be member for Wagga and parliamentary secretary (to the Premier for rural and regional affairs) to help bring about a better understanding of regional communities and regional and rural issues."
Despite overlooking Mr Maguire in his cabinet, Mr Baird has previously been an advocate of Mr Maguire's capabilities, telling parliament last August: "the member for Wagga is not only revered in his community as an outstanding local member but also known across the world as the greatest whip that NSW has ever had".
Mr Maguire said his relationship with the new Premier had always been "very good".
"There's no airs and graces and I think that's the nice thing about him," he said.
Elsewhere in the region, member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson continues as Primary Industries Minister while swapping her small business portfolio for an assistant ministry in tourism and major events, member for Murrumbidgee Adrian Piccoli retains the education ministry and member for Albury Greg Aplin remains on the backbench.