After a weekend of introspection, dumped police minister Matt Brown has decided to stay in politics.
Publicly confirming his decision for the first time yesterday, the 36-year-old former lawyer and university lecturer said his decision to stay had been influenced by the show of support he had received from the electorate.
Mr Brown cancelled a pre-arranged interview with the Mercury at which it was hoped he would offer his electorate an explanation of the behaviour which led to his sacking from his new portfolio. He issued a statement instead.
The MP was left emotionally battered and bruised after being dumped from the NSW Cabinet by an angry Premier Nathan Rees last week, just three days after being promoted to the police portfolio.
His fall from grace was completed when he was forced to make a humiliating public apology in his home town of Kiama in front of a large media pack, his family, staff and friends.
He then sought the safety of the family circle over the weekend to lick political and personal wounds and contemplate his future. He was widely reported to be considering resigning the safe seat of Kiama, which he has held since 1999.
"I have been humbled by the support the people of Kiama have shown me," Mr Brown told the Mercury.
"It is that support and encouragement that has helped me get through this difficult time, and it is their support that has made me decide to stay on and represent the community.
"I want to thank them for that and I am very, very sorry for the embarrassment I have caused them.
"I will spend the next 21/2 years working every single day to show I deserve the faith they have shown in me. I want to put this behind me."
Mr Brown's rise and rise through the ranks came to an abrupt halt after allegations surfaced of a raucous party held in the MP's parliamentary office on Budget night, June 23.
Mr Brown stripped down to his underwear and allegedly danced lewdly on the chest of Cabinet colleague and Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay. Mr Rees subsequently forced a resignation from Mr Brown, accusing the MP of not telling him the full story.
Mr Brown later claimed he had not given the Premier "specifics of what happened in his office that night because I was too embarrassed" and while he admits to "behaviour not befitting a minister", he has since steadfastly refused to give details.
The scandal claimed a second victim when Ms Hay was dumped on Friday from her role as parliamentary secretary for health and as the Premier's representative on Labor's powerful administrative committee.
But it is Mr Brown's decision not to quit politics that will have Labor powerbrokers and the new Premier breathing a slight sigh of relief.
The party already faces three by-elections after the decision of former health minister Reba Meagher to resign.
With up to six other Labor MPs reportedly considering political futures, Mr Brown's resignation would have caused a major headache.