ADAM Marshall is no longer the Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW, but the Northern Tablelands MP has picked up plenty of allies during his two and a half years on the job.
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His omission from the frontbench was one of the big surprises of Monday morning's reshuffle, with fellow Nationals MP, Dubbo's Dugald Saunders, replacing the popular 37-year-old.
Mr Marshall admits the news stung, but said he feels satisfied with the work he has done while in the role.
"That's politics. Naturally I'm disappointed, but I look back with pride and have no regrets," he said.
"I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to help defend and grow the NSW agriculture sector over the last three years through some of the toughest challenges it has ever faced - the worst drought in living memory, Black Summer bushfires, coastal and inland floods and a mice plague.
"Despite all that, the sector has continued to grow into what is now a $21 billion industry."
He said the growth was testament to farmers and their resilience, although NSW Farmers president James Jackson said it had a lot to do with Mr Marshall too.
He said Mr Saunders has big shoes to fill, and a lot of initiatives started by Mr Marshall need to be followed through on.
"Adam's legacy I think will read very well to agriculture," he said.
"He led the state's ag sector during some very difficult situations, there's been drought, there's been bushfires, there's been COVID disruptions, there's been floods and the mouse plague.
"So by necessity, a lot of the stuff he's done has had to be very reactive rather than strategic, and I'm sure he wishes he could've spent more time on big picture, strategic issues with agriculture - as do I in my role."
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But those reactive efforts have, for the most part, been successes according to Mr Jackson, who made particular mention of the mouse rebates and multiple efforts to address labour shortage issues.
The minister responsible for water is another person NSW Farmers often speak to, and that has changed hands from Melinda Pavey to Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson.
Mr Jackson said it had been a tough gig for Ms Pavey over the past couple of years as drought crippled the state, but said he was looking forward to tackling those issues with Mr Anderson.
Mr Marshall said there was a silver lining to him missing out on a role on the frontbench, which is that he will be able to focus more attention on the Northern Tablelands.
"I now work exclusively again for the Northern Tablelands, which I love," he said.
"I sincerely thank the people of my electorate and my dedicated staff for allowing me the chance to serve and supporting me throughout that journey over the last five years as a Minister across three different portfolios.
"It's been the greatest of privileges and I'll always be thankful for it.
"Now it's time for me to repay that support and get back to devoting all my time and energy doing what I got into local government, then state parliament, to do in the first place - aggressively speak up and speak out on issues important to my community, thump the table and fight to secure our fair share."
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