Labor’s Melissa Parke has announced she’s quitting politics.
The member for Fremantle declared that she would not seek a fourth term in parliament earlier this afternoon.
Ms Parke said her decision was based on a desire to spend less time traveling.
“It is time for me to be closer to my family and to travel less. For 8 years I worked overseas for the United Nations, and it will be nearly 9 years that I have been in parliament, crisscrossing this amazing continent to represent the incredible community of Fremantle at the national level.” Ms Parke said.
“I deeply respect the passion and values demonstrated daily by my constituents and the support they offer me. However, I believe that renewal is a good tonic for our democracy – my departure will be to the benefit of Fremantle and to the parliament, as every new member brings unique experiences, insights, fresh energy and perspective to the role.”
Labor Leader Bill Shorten praised Ms Parke’s contribution to the parliament highlighting her achievements as the Minister for International Development during the second Rudd ministry.
Mr Shorten described Ms Parke as an; “unstinting champion for human rights, international development and social justice.”
Mr Shorten said Ms Parke has always stood up and spoken out for her beliefs, with an eloquence and fearless passion drawn from a deep well of integrity.
The outspoken member for Fremantle had on occasion been at odds with her party colleagues, she was critical of the party’s asylum seeker off-shore detention policy and was opposed to live cattle exports.
Ms Parke is a long term supporter of marriage equality, back in 2011 she spoke to OUTinPerth about her support for the Labor party changing it’s policy.
In a statement announcing her retirement from politics Ms Parke said she looked forward to new challenges but remained committed to fighting for the causes she is passionate about.
“My commitment to advancing the causes of human rights, animal welfare, the environment, public health and education, science and the arts, to addressing extreme poverty, disadvantage and injustice wherever it occurs, including with regard to Australia’s Indigenous peoples and refugees, and to promoting good governance and accountability, is as strong as ever.” Ms Parke said.
Ms Parke will remain in parliament until the next federal election. In December Ms Parke wed her partner Perth businessman Warrick Helmsley.
Ms Parke’s Fremantle seat is Labor’s safest seat in WA, it has a 5.9% margin. Labor currently holds 3 of the 15 seats in Western Australia.
The Division of Fremantle is on of the original 75 parliamentary seats created at federation. It has been held by Labor since 1934, when John Curtin replaced William Watson from the United Australia party. Curtin had previously held the seat from 1928 – 1931. In 1941, Curtin became Australia’s fourteenth Prime Minister. He died in office in 1945.
Over the decades the people of Fremantle have been represented by former WA Premier Carmen Lawrence, John Dawkins and Kim Beazley Snr.
OIP Staff
