Up until Tuesday morning the answer would have been a definite yes he would be contesting the next election but now having lost his collection of six ministerial portfolios and no longer a cabinet member, the 26-year veteran of state politics is no longer sure about his political future.

“I guess I have three options, resign now, not contest the next election or continue on in politics and at this stage I have decided to take time and consider fully each of those choices, “ Mr Souris told the Singleton Argus on Wednesday.

“In the past I have told people who have been through a sudden and dramatic change in their lives to do absolutely nothing for 24 hours and after that still proceed very cautiously and slowly – I am taking a bit of my own advice and putting it into practice.”

Mr Souris who holds the seat of Upper Hunter for the National Party was somewhat concerned to read media reports his leader Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner had suggested he was going to leave politics.

“That was never my intention in fact my plans were to retire from the ministry at the end of year to allow for generational change in the cabinet and then to continue on as a very committed local member, “ Mr Souris said.

“Unfortunately my plans came to an abrupt end following the sudden resignation of Premier Barry O’Farrell last week.”

Premier Mike Baird who replaced Mr O’Farrell undertook a ministerial reshuffle this week which abruptly made Mr Souris a backbencher.

A philosophical Mr Souris said he was pleased to see three ministers and one assistant minster had been appointed by Premier Baird this week to cover this former workload that included being Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, Arts and then Hunter.

Commenting on the need for generational change the 64-year-old said he had appointed older people to prominent positions during his tenure as minister and joked that given the Federal Government was investigating  whether to increase the age people were entitled to receive the aged pension he considered himself still very capable of working hard for his electorate and the people of NSW.

When asked about his achievements as a local member he said one recent campaign he worked relentlessly on for many years was exposing and corruption behind the granting of the Doyles Creek Mine exploration licence.

“I am proud of my work in this matter that ultimately exposed the corruption at Doyles Creek and  also a similar situation at Mount Penny near Bylong, “ he said.

On a state level he said the recent December/January period had been torrid as he, advisers and his department worked on the liquor reform package. The reforms were initiated following the death of teenagers including Thomas Kelly by what was described as a ‘cowards punch’ thrown by heavily intoxicated men. 

“I met with Thomas Kelly’s parents many times and they are truly inspiring people, “ he said.

“At the same time my commitment to reform was questioned by people who even went so far as to say in the media where is  George Souris this New Year’s Eve – as if I was some type of Lone Ranger capable of controlling revellers single handed.

“Those type of comments were  totally unnecessary when in fact everyone was trying their best to come up with a workable solution.”

Mr Souris expressed strong support for the new Minister for Planning Pru Goward and the new Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian 

He described both as being very experienced and intelligent people capable of handling these tough portfolios.

For now he wants to work with the cabinet to ensure the best landuse outcomes for his electorate – outcomes that protect agricultural and tourism industries including critical industries in Broke and Pokolbin and finding a workable solution for Warkworth and Drayton South mines.