Embattled NSW Minister Jillian Skinner Quits

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Embattled NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner has announced she's resigning from politics, triggering a second by-election for the government of new Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

"I am naturally sad to be leaving the portfolio I love," Ms Skinner said in a statement on Friday.

"However, a new chapter beckons and I am looking forward to the challenges of life outside politics".

The announcement comes just days out from a major cabinet reshuffle by Ms Berejiklian.

There was speculation Ms Skinner was to have been dumped from the front bench.

The health minister's retirement will trigger a by-election in the northern Sydney seat of North Shore, which Ms Skinner has held since 1994.

There'll also be a by-election in coming months in former premier Mike Baird's seat of Manly.

Ms Skinner faced a series of scandals in 2016 including the death of a newborn baby at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital and the chemotherapy underdosing crisis engulfing hospitals across Sydney and rural NSW.

Ms Berejiklian on Friday said in a statement: "I am deeply disappointed my friend, mentor and colleague Jillian Skinner has announced her resignation from the NSW parliament."

27 January 2017




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