 During the 2007–11 term of Parliament McDonald was a member of the Macarthur Boys, described as 'a new powerful force emerging from within the once powerful Right'.After the resignation of Morris Iemma from the premiership, it was speculated that McDonald might resign from Parliament to return to work as a paediatrician, and was reported to be considering retirement from Parliament.However, McDonald re-contested his seat of Macquarie Fields in the 2011 New South Wales state election.