Liberal MP James Griffin resigns ahead of NSW state election

Manly MP James Griffin will leave politics at the upcoming NSW state election in a blow to Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, as the Coalition faces down a popular incumbent in Labor and a resurgent One Nation threat.

In a statement, the opposition energy spokesman announced on Wednesday he would leave parliament after almost a decade.

“Politics rarely affords you the chance to leave on your own terms,” Mr Griffin said.

“I have given this job everything I have, and it is time for the next chapter.”

Mr Griffin was elected to the North Sydney seat in 2017, replacing former premier Mike Baird.

He served as environment and heritage minister under ex-premier Dominic Perrottet.

Since the Coalition left power in 2023, Mr Griffin has served as a senior member of the leadership team, including as opposition spokesman for energy, climate change, and AI. He was also manager of opposition business in the lower house.

However, Mr Griffin said serving as a cabinet minister was the “highlight of my career”.

“Throughout my time in parliament, I have tried to embody the spirit of a ‘happy warrior’,” he said.

“I hope the civility and respect I extended to colleagues across the aisle helped lift our politics above the usual fray of the ‘Bear Pit’.”

The departure is a blow to Ms Sloane less than a year out from the next state election.

She took the reins of the party late last year alongside new Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh but faces a popular Labor government under Premier Chris Minns and a resurgent One Nation. Leader Pauline Hanson announced the party’s lower house leader last week.

In a statement, Ms Sloane said Mr Griffin had been “an outstanding servant of his community, the Liberal Party and the people of NSW”.

“For almost a decade, James has brought enormous energy, optimism and dedication to public life, always focused on how we can build a better NSW,” she said.