Another veteran Labor MP has called it quits ahead of the November election, with Maree Edwards from the Bendigo West electorate announcing she will not recontest.
Ms Edwards, who is currently the Speaker of the lower house, joins a volley of other high-profile Labor colleagues announcing their retirement as Labor is facing huge pressure in the polls.
She follows other Jacinta Allan supporters, Lily D’Ambrosio and Harriet Shing, who announced they would leave right after new Premier Ben Carroll won a leadership spill in July.
Three other senior Victorian Labor ministers to have announced they are leaving include cabinet ministers Danny Pearson, Mary-Anne Thomas, and Gayle Tierney.
Mr Carroll released a statement on Thursday afternoon saying: “For almost 16 years, Maree has served Bendigo West, Victoria, and our Parliament with integrity, humility and care.
“The truest measure of any Speaker is the respect they earn across the whole chamber, particularly from those whose politics they do not share. Maree has more than earned that respect.
“She listens, considers every matter carefully, and is patient, fair and firm when required.
“Maree has given so much to public life, and I wish her every happiness for the future.”
Rumours of her retirement have been circling for week and comes as the Coalition remains on track to win November’s state election, leading the ALP on a two-party-preferred basis 55 to 45.
The latest DemosAU/PremierNational poll – which surveyed 1007 Victorians between August 6 and 11 – also showed the Coalition leading the ALP in primary vote support 32 to 23.