NSW Nationals Deputy Leader and Member of the Legislative Council, Bronnie Taylor, will bid farewell to state politics after announcing her resignation last week.

The Nimmitabel resident has served as a Member of Parliament for nine years, and in this time, was elected the first female Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals and first NSW Minister for Regional Health.

Mrs Taylor will serve in the NSW Parliament until the end of August.

The current Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Seniors and Trades, said the time is right to leave politics.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as the first female Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals in more than 100 years and the first-ever NSW Minister for Regional Health,” Mrs Taylor said.

Mrs Taylor, who served as Cooma-Monaro Shire Deputy Mayor, before being elected in the NSW Parliament in 2015, said advocating for regional communities has been at the centre of her political career.

“Regional communities are, and have always been, at the heart of everything I fight for,” Mrs Taylor said.

Mrs Taylor said her former career as a nurse of 20-years, specialising in cancer care and palliative care, helped fuel her ambition to enter politics and

“I entered politics to improve the health outcomes for those in regional communities across NSW. I leave this place knowing I have done everything possible to make a real difference in the lives of the people the Nationals represent," Mrs Taylor said.

“As I look back on my time, some of my proudest moments as Minister were overseeing the historic blueprint to empower women, allocating a substantial $4.6 billion to boost their workforce participation, introducing the state’s first-ever Suicide Prevention Strategy, and establishing Tresillian Centres across our regions.

“I am also proud to have implemented the school nurse program, ensuring no student or family slipped through the cracks, and finally, the success of the Regional Health Workforce Incentive Scheme speaks for itself.”

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders has thanked Mrs Taylor for her service, highlighting her commitment to regional and rural communities.

“I would like to thank Bronnie for her nine years of service as an MP, in which she has fought tirelessly for the regions,” Mr Saunders said.

“During that time, she proudly served as the first female Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals, as well as the first Minister for Regional Health.

“She has delivered positive outcomes in the health and mental health space and became the first minister for both regional health and regional youth.

“It has been my absolute privilege to work closely with Bronnie as my Deputy over the past year.”

She has set an incredible standard around integrity and always stands up for what’s right.

Mrs Taylor thanked her family her for their support during her time in parliament.

“To my husband, Duncan, an incredible man who has always been beside me, and his support has never wavered. To my girls, Hannah and Holly – thank you – you have always been my guiding compass.

“I am forever grateful to the members of the NSW Nationals for giving me the honour of representing our party, our people, and our communities. Your support and trust in me have been invaluable.

“Thank you to my staff, valued stakeholders, and friends for all your support, guidance, sacrifices, and incredible faith in me.”