Della Bosca quits for non-govt job

29/07/2010 | 08:11 PM

John Della Bosca, former NSW minister and the man who would be premier, is walking away from politics for a role in the disabilities sector.

The former health minister has resigned from the state's Upper House to take up a job with the National Disability and Carer Alliance as a campaign director for a national disability insurance scheme.

His announcement comes the same day his wife, disendorsed federal Labor MP Belinda Neal, declared she wouldn't contest the NSW Central Coast seat of Robertson as an independent.

It puts an end to the pair's time as the power couple of NSW ALP politics.

But there is speculation they planned their announcements, with reports that Ms Neal is angling for a spot in the NSW Upper House.

Mr Della Bosca said talk of a deal to parachute his wife into the NSW parliament in return for not contesting Robertson was "ridiculous".

"This is a bit of new phase for me, and obviously she is working out what her next opportunities and moves are," the 54-year-old told Fairfax Radio on Thursday.

"The most important thing for me is that I leave parliament with goodwill towards both sides of politics.

"My colleagues, I wish them well, the premier I wish her well in what's going to be a tough job over the next couple of months to push the government's cause.

"I think what I can do now is make a different kind of contribution to public affairs, and one I think is timely and important."

Premier Kristina Keneally paid tribute to Mr Della Bosca's 11 years in parliament and his "proud parliamentary and ministerial record".

"I thank John for his tireless contribution to the people of NSW, the state government and the Australian Labor Party," she said in a statement.

NSW opposition leader Barry O'Farrell also farewelled the popular MP.

"It's tremendous John intends putting his experience to work in the interests of those Australians with disabilities," he said.

Mr Della Bosca's resignation is expected to heighten the perception the 15-year-old Labor government is nearing its used-by date.

He is the fourth Labor MP to quit parliament this year, following disgraced MPs Karyn Paluzzano and Ian Macdonald and former juvenile justice minister Graham West, who will step down at the March election.

Mr Della Bosca entered parliament in 1999 after a successful stint as NSW Labor general secretary and was central to Bob Carr's 1995 election win, and re-election four years later.

He went on to become a leading light in the NSW Labor government, holding portfolios including health, education, finance and industrial relations.

However, his final years in parliament were turbulent.

Mr Della Bosca stepped down as health minister in September 2009 after it was revealed he had a six-month affair with a 26-year-old Sydney woman.

He was then accused of mounting a challenge to former premier Nathan Rees' leadership, reportedly paying $20,000 on polling to gauge the response to him taking over as premier.

But his ambitions were thwarted with the elevation of Kristina Keneally to the top job, and he has remained on the backbench since.

It was the 2008 Iguanagate scandal that caused the most damage to the couple's political reputations.

Mr Della Bosca was forced to stand aside as education minister as police investigated the alleged row involving him, his wife and staff at Iguanas restaurant and bar on the Central Coast.

Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later said the pair had no case to answer, and Mr Della Bosca returned to the frontbench.

NSW Labor general secretary Sam Dastyari said Mr Della Bosca's Upper House position would be filled before parliament resumes on August 31.

"The Labor Party today thanks John Della Bosca for his years of dedicated work," he said in a statement.

"John demonstrated an unyielding commitment to the Labor cause."