“For the first, it means I’m there to support any local members and assist any advocating on behalf of their electorates to their government,” Mr Marshall said.

“Secondly, and probably more exciting for our region, is being Secretary for rnewable energy. Already this week I’ve had a number of briefings from the state’s renewable energy advocate with various of government departments and a number of Minister’s offices.”

Mr Marshall said he was passionate about energy development.

“We have an opportunity to make, not just this region, but NSW the renewables capital of Australia,” he said.

“I think there are huge advantages to that, not just environmentally but economically, if we can encourage and facilitate the further development of those solar, wind and thermal renewables projects.”

With a statewide influence, Mr Marshall’s reach might appear to be a bit like that of a Senator, but he laughed as he denied any similarity.

“I never feel like a Senator, no. I’m in the Lower House and because of that my first responsibility is to my electorate,” he said.

“But I am looking forward to these new responsibilities and challenges that those roles bring, particularly in the renewables space. I just think it’s really, really exciting.”

“It is a really exciting time for someone like myself to be heavily involved within government in that space, because there’s so many things happening at the moment.”

Mr Marshall said he had been asked to do the job and it was something he was passionate about, however he was predictably shy about discussing future ministerial portfolios.

“If that ever occurred I would not be given a choice, but I seriously doubt that that will happen.” he said.