Walt Secord to quit parliament
NSW upper house Labor MP Walt Secord will not contest the March 2023 election after standing down from the opposition’s shadow ministry following bullying allegations.
Walt Secord
Mr Secord decided to quit politics today.
“After discussions with my wife, friends and supporters, I have decided not to seek a second term,” he said in a statement.
“I will continue to work and support the Labor party.”
Mr Secord on Monday stood aside from the opposition shadow ministry as spokesman for police, counter-terrorism, the arts and the North Coast region of NSW.
Accusations of bullying were levelled at him last Friday after the publication of a long-awaited report into sexual harassment and bullying in the NSW parliament.
Opposition Leader Chris Minns, who once worked as a junior staff to Mr Secord and alongside him as a shadow minister, said he never witnessed problematic behaviour.
“But you know, I respect other people would have different relationships with him and have different contexts and histories,” he said on Monday.
Mr Secord had apologised, acknowledging he could be too blunt and direct in a fast-paced workplace.
“If any parliamentary staff members feel my conduct in the workplace was unprofessional and caused offence or distress and was unacceptable, I unreservedly apologise,” he said last week.
Mr Secord joined the upper house in 2011, filling a casual vacancy left by former Labor minister Eddie Obeid, who was jailed for misconduct in public office in 2016.
He had previously been chief of staff to former premier Kristina Keneally.
Mr Secord said on Friday he was proud of his contribution to NSW public life.
“My legislative record includes striving to improve health and education standards, support for business, employment and the economy, support for social justice measures, animal welfare and most recently, the ban on Nazi symbols,” he said.
He added: “One of the highlights of my career was to chair the independent inquiry into the North Coast floods – allowing thousands of families devastated by the natural disaster to have their voices heard by the parliament.
I also supported efforts to foster reconciliation, including my support over the years for the Myall Creek massacre commemoration in northern NSW.
I was honoured to serve as the deputy chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel and NSW Parliamentary Friends of Armenia. At times, my outspoken support for these communities was met with strong resistance from some parliamentary colleagues.
That said, I never stepped back and I was never silent when I encountered attacks on the Jewish or Armenian communities.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark and president David Ossip said, “The NSW Parliament has had no stronger advocate for multiculturalism and communal harmony than Walt Secord.
He has been a staunch and loyal friend to the Jewish community and other faith and multicultural communities throughout his time in Parliament.
He always made the time to listen to our concerns and work towards meaningful change for the good of all NSW citizens.
Our state is a better place because of Walt’s tireless work across multiple portfolios over the years.
Most notably, he introduced a private member’s bill into Parliament to ban the public display of Nazi symbols late last year. This is now a much-welcomed reality in our state.
The NSW Jewish community as well as the community at large owes him a debt of gratitude and thanks him for his service and immense contribution to public life.
We wish him and his wife Julia well as he steps away from public life at the next election.”
