Nationals MP Stephen Bromhead dies after 12 years in parliament

Stephen Bromhead, the Nationals MP who represented Myall Lakes for more than a decade in NSW parliament, has died following a battle with mesothelioma. He was 66.

In a statement on Friday morning, Deputy Premier Paul Toole confirmed the news of his death, saying the Mid North Coast MP entered parliament in 2011 determined to make a difference for his community.

“He set a shining example as a Nationals MP of someone who fought passionately for what mattered most to his community and when that fight was won, he went straight into battle on the next issue,” Toole said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said Bromhead always brought colour and life to the Coalition party room.

“Stephen was the quintessential Nationals member, dedicated wholly to making sure the people of Myall Lakes – and all of regional NSW – got their fair share,” Perrottet said.

“Stephen’s grace and strength over the past year has been an inspiration to so many, and I know he has served as an extraordinary mentor to many Nationals members and to his staff over that time and throughout his career.

“Stephen will be dearly missed.”

A former detective, Bromhead joined the Nationals in 1985 convinced his community needed better representation.

Last year he announced he would retire from parliament and not run at the upcoming election after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

“Somewhere in my background I’ve come into contact with fibro,” he told NBN News of his illness last year. “It’s almost like a type of cancer.”

In his final speech to parliament last year, he said: “After 12 years I leave here not because I want to. I do not want anyone to think that this is a case of someone who is tired, does not want to be a local member, and is giving up.”

“Thank you for the opportunity, and for the honour and the privilege of being here for 12 years.”

Bromhead is survived by his wife Sue and daughters Caroline and Nicole.

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