DESPITE stepping down after two decades of life in politics,
John Forrest insisted he was not retiring.
The 63-year-old was the guest
speaker at the Association of Independent Retirees (AIR), Swan Hill branch
general meeting on Friday where he said he was merely “changing jobs”.
“I
have had some terrific job offers,” the Member for Mallee said.
“But I’ve
said to them all, ‘call me after September — I’ve got something to focus on
until then’.”
He said he was focused on supporting the incoming member for
Mallee, decided yesterday in Warracknabeal during the Nationals
preselection.
“I’m the feather duster now, I’m going to do what I can to make
sure the Nationals retain their seat,” Mr Forrest said.
Reflecting on two
decades in Federal Parliament, Mr Forrest said if the Liberal National Coalition
was returned to power, flexibility in rural health funding should be encouraged
and more Multipurpose facilities (MPS) should be created, such as those in
Robinvale and Ouyen.
For more on this story, see Monday’s edition of The Guardian (15/04/13).
