Keira MP Ryan Park
Keira MP Ryan Park has been appointed opposition roads spokeman as part of a NSW Labor frontbench reshuffle.
Mr Park’s appointment comes after the former roads spokesman, Lakemba MP Robert Furolo, on Tuesday quit the frontbench.
Mr Park said he was nominated for the new position by Opposition Leader John Robertson and his other Labor colleagues in a meeting yesterday afternoon.
‘‘I’m a bit shocked, but I’ll just do my best,’’ Mr Park said.
‘‘It’s certainly a big portfolio and I’ll get across it as quickly as I can, obviously for the Illawarra on a roads basis forward planning for the F6 is going to be a priority.’’
Despite his rising political star, Mr Park said his Illawarra constituents remained his highest priority.
‘‘The people of Keira come first, second and third - they know that,’’ he said.
Also new to the frontbench, Fairfield MP Guy Zangari was given the citizenship and communities portfolio, Heffron’s Ron Hoenig will take on energy and ports, and upper house MP Walt Secord was spokesman for water and Shadow Special Minister of State.
Mr Robertson said his ‘‘energetic’’ new frontbench would help to ‘‘rebuild Labor and take the fight up to the O’Farrell Government’’.
‘‘Ryan Park, who at age 35 is the youngest member of the Labor caucus, will take on responsibility for roads,’’ he said.
‘‘Ryan has demonstrated that he’s a go-getter – willing to work hard and deserving of a senior portfolio.’’
The reshuffle also handed Deputy Opposition Leader Linda Burney responsibility for family and community services and Aboriginal affairs, while Luke Foley picked up the shadow planning portfolio.