Following the election of the O'Farrell government at the 2011 election, Gay was appointed as the Minister for Roads and Ports in the New South Wales government. Following the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier, and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the new Liberal Leader, in April 2014 the name of Gay's portfolio changed to Minister for Roads and Freight; the responsibilities as Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council were added in May 2014; and as Minister for the North Coast added in October 2014. Following the 2015 state election, Gay's portfolio responsibilities were amended slightly and renamed as Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight.