Chris Minns loses first frontbencher as David Harris announces exit before NSW election

The state’s racing minister David Harris will retire at the next election in March, leaving NSW Labor with a fight to retain his Central Coast seat against a likely significant challenge from One Nation.

Labor had delayed opening preselection in the seat of Wyong as Harris weighed up his options. In a statement early on Friday morning, Harris confirmed he would retire after 16 years as an MP.

Harris currently holds the gaming and racing, veterans and Aboriginal affairs and treaty portfolios. The minister said he would continue in his current ministerial roles until the March 13 poll.

“Before entering the NSW parliament I spent 23 years in public education as a teacher, executive and principal, working to shape the futures of local children,” Harris said.

“I hope the next Labor candidate shares my passion for education as I have found that is the lifeblood of our community.”

Harris thanked Premier Chris Minns for his support while navigating “challenging yet essential reforms” and said they tackled “controversial issues”.

The state Labor government faced a revolt from rank and file party members over pokies reforms, with Harris ultimately backing a motion to force the party into a stronger stance against the machines at this year’s state conference.

The state government isn’t bound to the motions passed at the conference, and the government is yet to implement the reforms.

Harris’ retirement makes him the first of Minns’ frontbenchers to quit politics before the March state election, which NSW Labor is treating as a fight against right-wing populist party One Nation rather than the Coalition.

NSW Labor officials have warned MPs of a worst-case scenario in which the party could lose more than a dozen seats, as part of closed-door briefings organised by party headquarters.

MPs have been warned it is possible Labor could lose seats in the Hunter, Central Coast, south-west Sydney and southern NSW. Regional MPs have said they expect One Nation, rather than the Liberals or Nationals, to be their main competition.

Liberal leader Kellie Sloane, meanwhile, has lost a slew of MPs jumping ship before March.