MALLEE’s long-standing Federal MP John Forrest has announced he will resign from parliament ahead of the 2013 election and potential successors are already lining up to replace him.
Announcing his retirement at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, the Federal Member for Mallee said while his decision was likely to “break a few hearts”, the time had come for him to hang up his signature hat and call it a day.
“I have informed the Victorian State Director of the Nationals that I will not be seeking pre-selection as the Nationals candidate for the seat of Mallee in the next Federal Election,” Mr Forrest said, noting it was his intention to retire as the Federal Member for Mallee at the forthcoming election.
With his political career spanning across two decades, Mr Forrest has represented Victoria’s biggest electorate since he was first elected in 1993.
Following three redistributions, the Mallee electorate now encompasses an area bigger than Tasmania.
“While Tassie has 12 senators and five members of the House of Representatives, I often joke with my colleagues that this means I have to yell 16 times louder to get attention,” he said.
Describing his political style as “being amongst the people,” Mr Forrest said his announcement at the Wimmera field days was fitting and reflected this.
“I have watched many colleagues do this in Parliament but I wanted to make the announcement amongst the people I have represented for so long,” he said.
“You are the folks I have been accountable to and I wanted to make it amongst you.”
For more on this story, see Friday’s edition of The Guardian
(08/03/13).
