Bronnie Taylor: Championing rural voices in politics

Bronnie Taylor’s decade-long tenure in the NSW Parliament was one marked by her unwavering advocacy for rural and regional communities.

In recent weeks as she stepped down from the NSW Upper House, returning to a quieter life on the family farm at Nimmitabel, she spoke with Region, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of her time in office, and the work that still lies ahead.

“I was really lucky to be able to represent people and make a difference,” she said. “But I think renewal is important, and I wanted to make space for others to step up.”

Bronnie, who also served as deputy leader of the NSW National Party, the first woman to hold that position, was proof that one voice can actually make a difference.

Highlighting her evolution from a naive newcomer to a seasoned leader, she recalled her initial unfamiliarity with party politics after first being elected to the Legislative Council in 2015.

“I did not know left or right, or even that there were varying degrees of left and right,” she said.

But the former deputy mayor of Cooma Monaro Regional Council rapidly transitioned from the back of the chamber, first swinging into action as parliamentary secretary for Southern NSW and regional communications in January 2016.

A year later she was parliamentary secretary to the deputy premier and Southern NSW and two years later appointed the minister for mental health, regional youth and women, taking on a new portfolio of regional health while still safeguarding mental health and women, for around 18 months until March 2023 when she formed part of the coalition’s shadow ministry.

For the former registered nurse who once described herself as “an accidental activist” due to her frustrations with the ‘system’ and its implications for regional patients, “being able to drive ideas and policy and then go and fight for them”, her appointment as the state’s first ever regional health minister was her planetary alignment.

A staunch supporter of NSW Health, she said the portfolio gave her opportunities she never thought were possible.

“The people that I worked with in NSW Health and the public service are some of the finest people that you will ever meet. They are skilled, they are professional and they are dedicated. One thing I know is that if you find yourself acutely unwell in NSW and you present to hospital, you will have staff that are world-class and who, in their skillset, will do everything possible for you to have a good outcome,” she told parliament in her farewell speech.

Notable milestones during her tenure included Tresillian family care centres, school nurse programs, advancing the scope of practice for pharmacists, all the while pioneering private-public partnerships to deliver significantly improved health, mental health and family support outcomes in regional areas.

One of these was an Australian-first $40 million investment in menopause, with the government and Ochre Health establishing four new hubs and 16 holistic menopausal services across the state.

As the most senior woman in NSW politics, developing a strategy to improve the lives of all women in NSW wasn’t just about economic opportunity, “but really looking at the whole picture – things like childcare, transportation, the barriers that were holding people back”.

“And in youth and adolescent mental health, we were able to establish dedicated teams that I believe will have lasting impacts,” she said.

She continues to highlight the importance of placing value on aged care: “We have so much to learn from how Asian countries value their elderly. The elderly in our communities deserve so much more than they receive.”

Bronnie said state politics was not without its challenges, describing the toll “nastiness and political games” could take on personal lives and families.

“The more successful you become, the more you get targeted,” she said. “And you see it happen to friends, like John Barilaro. It’s not a pleasant environment to be in.”

She said it was her deep connection to her rural roots and a belief in the unique value that regional Australians brought to the table that kept her buoyant.

“We live a simpler life, but a much more enriched life,” she said. “There’s a genuine care and consideration for one another that you just don’t see in the city. We’re present; we look up; we’re part of a community.”

Bronnie stressed that despite political differences, everyone in parliament shared a common goal: to improve the world.

Her vision for the future of rural and regional representation emphasises the importance of diversity in politics, both in terms of background and profession, to ensure the decision-making process truly reflects the needs of all Australians.

“We need more people who have had real lives and real jobs, not just those who have spent their careers in politics,” she said. “Because it’s very easy to spend other people’s money when you haven’t had to be in business yourself.”

She’s optimistic about the future of the National Party saying the party’s core values and geographic focus will continue to resonate with regional voters, as long as it remains true to its mission of advocating for rural and regional communities.

“The Nationals just need to keep doing what they do best, and that is representing regional people and making their lives better,” she said. “It’s pretty simple.”

Bronnie hopes to use her experience and connections to support the next generation of rural leaders, offering advice and guidance as they navigate the challenges of public service.

“I won’t be commenting from the sidelines, because I think there’s nothing more dreadful,” she said. “But I’ll definitely be in the background if and when I’m asked and if and when I’m needed.”

She may be leaving the political arena, but her commitment to empowering rural and regional Australians remains as strong as ever.

“I’ve loved it, and I’ve been able to do the most amazing policy changes driven by my background and my love of where I live,” she said. “And I want to see these communities thrive.”