Veteran MP resigns as NSW Labor HQ targets male backbenchers

Veteran Labor MP Hugh McDermott has announced his resignation before the 2027 state election, the first male MP to exit the party as Sussex Street tries to boost the number of women in parliament.

McDermott announced he would leave parliament after 12 years without detailing his reason, and comes a day after this masthead reported Labor HQ was considering asking male backbenchers to retire to solve the party’s equal representation problem.

McDermott outlined his parliamentary accomplishments in an email to constituents on Thursday morning, writing he believed a seat in the Legislative Assembly belongs to the people and noting the voters of Prospect, a seat in western Sydney, had returned him with a greater margin at each of his three elections.

“After careful consideration, I have decided not to stand as the Labor candidate for Prospect at the 2027 state election. Public service is an integral part of who I am, and I will continue to add value to my community in a different role,” he wrote.

“It has been an honour to assist thousands of people across Prospect as their local representative … This is the work that does not earn accolades in ‘politics’ but is what matters most, a fact that is not lost on me.”

While McDermott – a former barrister who is now parliamentary secretary to the attorney-general – paid tribute to his wife and daughters, there was no mention of Premier Chris Minns or any parliamentary colleagues.

McDermott did not respond to requests for comment.

Labor sources privy to discussions with the MP but not authorised to speak on party matters said McDermott had been encouraged to retire, given he was unlikely to win another preselection. He had lost the numbers in his electorate, the sources said. Party insiders denied that he had been offered a sweetener to leave parliament.

McDermott’s departure is expected to be followed by other MPs, two sources said, including one potentially in the next week.

McDermott was among a number of male MPs who Labor sources suggested could be asked to step down. Others mentioned included Blacktown MP Stephen Bali, Entrance MP David Mehan and Mount Druitt MP Edmond Atalla. Sussex Street has been meeting some MPs to gauge their openness to retirement.

Six months from the election, Labor has finalised preselection for most sitting ministers, as well as first-term MPs, female backbenchers, and some key seats such as Ryde, Oatley and Miranda.

But the party has held off opening nominations in seats held by veteran male backbenchers because of a looming gender problem within the caucus.

Labor rules have, for several years, required a “minimum percentage” of seats to be held by women. The quota has been ramping up since 2022, and last year reached a 50 per cent gender split for the first time. Under the current make-up of the party room, two male MPs would need to make way.

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