The man who sparked the so-called koala wars, which almost tore apart the Coalition in New South Wales, has announced his intention to retire after more than a decade in state parliament.
Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said the move was timed to coincide with the start of the pre-selection process in Clarence.
He created chaos within the Coalition in 2020 when he threatened a move to the crossbench to protest against a new koala protection policy.
"I believe I did what was right for regional communities right across NSW," Mr Gulaptis said.
"That policy was flawed at the particular time.
"When you have the main roundabout in Grafton being declared a koala habitat, it clearly showed that the plans were flawed and it just wasn't right."
No regrets
The situation escalated when the party's leader at the time, John Barilaro, declared he would move all the Nationals MPs to the crossbench unless the policy was changed.
A compromise was eventually reached, but there was significant political fallout.
"I would do it all again," Mr Gulaptis said.
"In terms of what the leadership did in terms of how John Barilaro handled it, well, that's up to him.
"It wasn't right to have land rights taken away from farmers and people who work on the land for no benefit whatsoever for the environment."
Politics a 'brutal game'
It was not the first time Mr Gulaptis had clashed with his own government.
In 2012 he endured what he called a "baptism of fire" when it was announced more than 200 beds at the Grafton jail would be closed, with about 100 jobs lost.
The Nationals MP eventually joined a picket line and spoke at rallies to protest against the decision.
"You certainly learn that politics is a brutal game," he said.
"The community was so entrenched in having a jail in town and it meant so much in terms of jobs and the local economy."
Mr Gulaptis said the decision was made at a time when the area was already reeling from the closure of a Telstra call centre and a meatworks.
"We were on the ropes and, for the government to do this to a newly elected member of the government, I found it unconscionable," he said.
"[The job] does come with responsibilities that weigh on you every night, and they have weighed on me every night since the day I was elected.
"There's not a time when I don't go to bed and think about what has happened through the day or what has happened in the past and whether I could have changed it and whether I could make things better.
"That's why you are in this role — to improve people's lives."
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the retiring MP would leave a lasting legacy.
"His legacy will be evident for decades to come for anyone driving along the North Coast — an upgraded Pacific Highway that has saved hundreds of lives," he said.
Mr Toole also noted the construction of a second Grafton bridge and funding for a major redevelopment of the Grafton Base Hospital during Mr Gulaptis's time in state parliament.
