NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has paid tribute to Labor powerbroker Joe Tripodi after he announced he will quit politics at the March state election.
Ms Keneally, a protege of the Fairfield MP, sent her thanks on Thursday for his contribution to public office over the last 15 years.
"As a local member, Mr Tripodi earned the warmth and respect of his Fairfield community by delivering for local families and businesses time and time again," Ms Keneally said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"As a minister, Mr Tripodi set the benchmark for innovative policy formation and working with stakeholders."
Mr Tripodi, who has held a variety of ministry portfolios, is the 15th Labor MP to annouce they will not run in the March election.
Ms Keneally described him as "one of the architects" of the NSW government's energy reform strategy.
"As housing minister, Mr Tripodi was responsible for the most significant reforms in public housing since World War II with Reshaping Public Housing which involved changes to rent, water, eligibility and tenure to ensure a fairer public housing system," she added.
"Mr Tripodi brought a wealth of economic knowledge to the Cabinet and a proud record of delivery to his local community.
"I thank Mr Tripodi for his contribution to the people of this state and the NSW Parliament, and I wish him well in his future endeavours."
An economist by training, Mr Tripodi graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelors Degree in Economics with first class honours.
He worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia and as an industrial officer for NSW Labor Council (now known as UnionsNSW) before entering NSW parliament as the Member for Fairfield in 1995.
Mr Tripodi announced his decision to quit in The Australian newspaper.
"I support Kristina Keneally's view that the party needs to renew and refresh and I'm happy to be part of the process," he said.
Mr Tripodi's decision follows an announcement on Wednesday by Blacktown MP Paul Gibson that he too would quit politics at the state election, citing family reasons.
When former premier Morris Iemma and former treasurer Michael Costa departed parliament following the government's meltdown over electricity reform in 2008, Mr Tripodi became the key driver of economic reform in the government.
Mr Tripodi, 43, said it was the coming to fruition of those reforms, and not the undisguised intention of the party's Sussex Street bosses to move him along, that had led to his decision to quit parliament after 15 years.
