New South Wales is witnessing a beautiful moment in its political history as Monica Tudehope, 40, prepares to serve alongside her father Damien Tudehope, 73, on the state's opposition frontbench—a touching example of intergenerational collaboration in public service.

The Epping MP shared her excitement about the unique opportunity, saying, "I'm going to be in shadow cabinet with my boomer dad, and that's really exciting." Monica brings her experience as a former staffer and fresh perspective from raising a young family, while her father, an experienced solicitor, contributes decades of legal and political wisdom as shadow attorney-general.

Liberal leader Kellie Sloane has crafted a shadow cabinet that thoughtfully balances experience with innovation, growing the team to 26 members who represent diverse perspectives and life experiences. Monica Tudehope will handle finance and Western Sydney portfolios despite entering parliament less than 15 months ago—a testament to her capabilities and the party's confidence in emerging talent.

"I thought about wisdom and experience, and balancing that with a blend of fresh, new talent, people fresh out of corporate life, people that understand the everyday struggles of people trying to get into the housing market," Sloane explained, highlighting her holistic approach to team-building.

The reshuffle brings exciting changes across portfolios. Former Liberal leader Mark Speakman takes on education, an area he's passionate about and views as election-critical. Chris Rath, known for his progressive stance on housing, steps into the planning and housing spokesperson role—perfect timing as the state grapples with housing accessibility challenges.

The coalition partnership between the Liberals and Nationals continues to demonstrate flexibility and cooperation, with Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh expressing enthusiasm about his party's focus on health and small business—two vital areas for regional communities. "These are two very important portfolios for the Nationals and two very important portfolios for regions," Singh noted positively.

Fresh faces joining the frontbench include MLC Jacqui Munro, who will champion environmental issues, and Hornsby MP James Wallace, taking on industrial relations and government procurement. The team notably features strong female representation with both leader and deputy positions held by women.

The shadow cabinet's diversity extends beyond gender and age to include professionals from various backgrounds—lawyers, former corporate workers, and community advocates—all bringing real-world experience to policy development.

Nationals leader Singh also emphasized the importance of personal wellbeing, noting that former leader Dugald Saunders requested time to focus on himself and family, which the party respected—a refreshing acknowledgment of work-life balance in politics.

This new lineup represents more than just a political reshuffle; it's a symbol of how different generations can work together, how families can serve their communities side by side, and how fresh perspectives combined with seasoned experience can create stronger governance. As the Tudehope family prepares to make history together, they remind us that public service can truly be a family affair, bridging generational divides and bringing diverse viewpoints to the important work of shaping New South Wales's future.