The Member for Ballina Adjunct Professor Tamara Smith MP today announced that she will not be contesting the 2027 State election. Ms Smith was the first Greens MP to win a regional seat in the NSW Legislative Assembly, and she is the first woman to win the seat of Ballina. Ms Smith is the first Greens MP in any Legislative Assembly or Lower House in Australia to take a seat from the National Party.
Winning 3 general elections Ms Smith grew the Ballina seat margin for the Greens at every election, and in 2023 won the Primary vote. Ms Smith is also the only Greens MP in NSW to have been elected Chair of a Joint Standing Parliamentary Committee, as the current Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the Office of the Valuer General.
"I have made the difficult decision not to contest the 2027 NSW State Election. It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Member for Ballina for 3 terms, and to dedicate myself to the betterment of our communities and the planet during that time." Ms Smith said.
"I am proud to have led our community in recovery from multiple natural disasters and the pandemic in a bi-partisan and collaborative way, keenly aware that the politics of diplomacy is the only way to deliver results as a member of a minor party, in a marginal seat, in a regional area."
"It has never felt like work helping the thousands of constituents that my teams and I have directly supported over the last 11 years, or in delivering more schools, roads, bridges, pre-schools, Emergency Services infrastructure, nurses, teachers, and paramedics in my 3 terms than my predecessor delivered in 27 years."
"I am so grateful to our community, and I thank them for placing their trust in me and I believe we have shown that a Greens MP in a regional seat can deliver real results for their community."
"Even though I won't be running as the candidate in 2027, I am absolutely confident that the Greens can retain the seat of Ballina so this important work can continue. No matter which party wins government next year, our community needs a strong local representative to hold them to account - not just a mouthpiece for the old parties held hostage by factions, or someone pushing hate and division."
"I want to thank my family and friends who have been my solace from the storm that is modern politics, my staff over many years, my fellow Greens MPs, the members of the Byron and Ballina Greens, and every single person who has been a part of our campaigns over the years."
"After fiercely advocating for the most vulnerable and bringing truth to power about the threat of global warming to humanity, our wildlife, and wild places, I look forward to continuing that passion outside of the parliament and dedicating more time to my family."
