My family needs me: Capricornia MP won't contest next election
BREAKING: MEMBER for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore will not contest her long-held seat at the next Federal election.
The following is a statement the federal Labor MP released a short time ago:
"I have today advised my colleagues and friends in the Federal Parliament that I will not be recontesting the seat of Capricornia at the next Federal election.
A decision like this comes with a degree of sorrow but I am certain that it is the right one for me, my family and the Labor Party.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Capricornia for their support in the past 5 elections. There can be no higher privilege or honour than to represent the people of this great electorate in the Australian Parliament and I continue to take that duty very seriously.
It is an experience I will always treasure, however, after 15 years of representing an electorate that, at times, was bigger than the state of Victoria I feel that it is now time to stand aside.
I have had to ask a great deal from my family during my time in Parliament and the time has come to put them first.
My children who are now 9 and 6 need me to be home more than this position allows. After so many years of giving me his selfless support my husband, Craig, is entitled to have the chance to pursue his own aspirations.
I believe that what is needed now is a younger person to take up the challenge and the opportunity that comes with representing this diverse and dynamic electorate.
I have every confidence that the local members of the Labor Party will choose the right candidate to fight the next election and represent Capricornia in the next Gillard government.
Until that time I remain committed to serving the people of Capricornia in the Parliament and giving my total support to the new Labor candidate."
