Robert McClelland confirms retirement

Former government minister Robert McClelland will retire from politics at the next federal election. Source: AAP

FORMER federal attorney-general Robert McClelland will retire from politics at the next federal election.

Mr McClelland, who was dumped from the front bench by Prime Minister Julia Gillard after he supported Kevin Rudd in a leadership challenge in early 2012, confirmed his decision on Tuesday afternoon.

"After almost 17 years in federal parliament my decision has not been taken lightly," he said in a statement.

It follows discussions with family and friend over the Christmas break.

Mr McClelland is the Labor MP for the seat of Barton in Sydney.

"I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the constituents of Barton," he said.

Former NSW Labor premier Morris Iemma is being touted as a possible ALP candidate for Mr McClelland's seat.

Mr McClelland was elected to federal parliament in 1996 and became the shadow attorney-general in 1998.

He became federal attorney-general in 2007, when Mr Rudd led Labor to victory over the coalition Howard government.

In 2011, he became minister for housing, homelessness and emergency management.

But the Rudd supporter lost his position in March, after Ms Gillard fought off a challenge from Mr Rudd, who had lost the prime ministership in 2010.

Mr McClelland thanked his family, staff, friends and supporters.

"I wish my successor all the very best in the important and tremendously satisfying role that lies ahead for him or her and I look forward to continuing to make a contribution to the Australian community in the next stage of my professional career," he added.

Speculation that Mr McClelland could face a challenge from the former NSW premier surfaced last year with talk Mr Iemma was being promoted as a Labor pre-selection candidate for Barton, in Sydney's south.

At the time, Foreign Minister Bob Carr told reporters that if Mr McClelland were to retire he could not think of a better candidate than Mr Iemma.

Mr Iemma was an "honest and industrious premier who was badly treated by my party", he said.

Mr Iemma succeeded Senator Carr as NSW premier in August 2005 and served until his resignation in 2008 amid debate on privatisation of the state's electricity sector.

Comment is being sought from Mr Iemma.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey took to Twitter to wish Mr McClelland well.

"Rob McClelland - a very decent guy treated poorly by Julia Gillard," Mr Hockey tweeted.

"I genuinely wish him and his wonderful family all the very best."

Labor backbencher Steve Gibbons said his colleague would be missed in the Labor caucus.

"Not surprised to hear of Rob McClelland's decision to retire at the next election," Mr Gibbons tweeted.

"Rob's served the party and his community with great distinction despite what some media commentators have said."

Labor's NSW secretary Sam Dastyari congratulated Mr McClelland for a "great Labor career".

Federal government chief whip Joel Fitzgibbon tweeted Mr McClelland was a "great MP, great Attorney and great bloke".

"Fantastic servant of the Movement," Mr Fitzgibbon said in the tweet. "History will treat him well."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Robert McClelland confirms retirement

Dengan url

http://perjuanganpanjang.blogspot.com/2013/01/robert-mcclelland-confirms-retirement.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Robert McClelland confirms retirement

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Robert McClelland confirms retirement

sebagai sumbernya