[9] During her time as Minister for the Environment, Parker also oversaw the creation of the most comprehensive air quality network in Australia Securing the International World Parks Congress for Sydney in November 2014, greater support for Taronga Zoo's conservation program, the introduction of legislation banning solaria, making NSW the second in the world to do so (a lead other states have followed) and provided increased funding for community, local government, not for profit and aboriginal heritage projects throughout New South Wales.
[1][10] Parker and the Environment Protection Authority received a lot of criticism following a hexavalent chromium emission at Orica's ammonium nitrate plant in Newcastle in August 2011;.
[11][12] Parker refused to apologise for why there was a delay in informing the public of the spill claiming she was left off of a crucial departmental email.
[14] Ms Parker has been criticised for not notifying the public about the incident until Thursday afternoon, three days later, despite being informed on Wednesday evening.
Parker responded "The time for Orica to contact the Government and environmental authorities was as soon as the Kooragang Island leak occurred – not seven days later".
"[23] On 11 October 2011, Parker introduced the Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment Bill into the Parliament aimed at strengthening the ability of the Environment Protection Authority to regulate serious pollution incidents by significantly improving notification requirements and pollution incident response management provisions and increase penalties for non-compliance.
In reference to this quote, Parker stated "[It] doesn't help koalas you know, this was a heated exchange," and "I was interrupted continuously and so I've missed a couple of words out in one sentence.
[31] Former Prime Minister Paul Keating also criticised the plan saying "While the government is spending a lot of money on a cultured headland park at Barangaroo to the west, the same government, with the authority of environment minister Robyn Parker, is spending money to destroy the gardens to the east".
[33][34] Despite being endorsed as the candidate for the seat of Maitland, Parker announced her retirement from Parliament and did not contest the election held in March 2015.
[39] During her time in Parliament Parker chaired a number of high-profile inquiries, including the Operation and Management of the NSW Ambulance Service, the Bullying of Children and Young People, and the Building the Education Revolution.
She also served as the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Aboriginal Affairs and was Chair of the NSW Opposition's Hunter Taskforce.
[39] As one of the fastest growing regional electorates in the country, infrastructure expenditure centring around roads, transport, schools and Hospitals was a priority during Parker’s term.
[45] The new Hunter Expressway opened,[46] A new overpass to reduce traffic congestion was built,[47] and further road and rail projects were undertaken.
[58] Parker has been appointed as a non-executive director to a number of not-for-profit and government boards including: Taronga Conservation Society,[59] NextSense (formerly Royal Institute For Deaf And Blind Children),[60] Hume Community Housing,[61] Hunter Local Land Services,[62] The Heritage Council of New South Wales.
[65] In 2009, it was revealed that her eldest son, Dylan, then aged 22, made and flew paper planes and had become one of the world's best, while simultaneously dealing with the sudden discovery of a brain tumour.