Fed:McGauran retires from "full and satisfying" political career

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2008
Fed:McGauran retires from "full and satisfying" political career

By Kate Corbett, Max Blenkin and Will Fisher

CANBERRA, April 4 AAP - Retiring Nationals MP Peter McGauran says he has given his
all to "a full and satisfying" political career.

Mr McGauran is the first former Howard government minister to quit parliament in the
wake of the coalition's federal election loss.

"It has been the greatest privilege to have represented Gippsland in the federal parliament
and I will always be grateful for the confidence and support vested in me," Mr McGauran
said in a statement today.

"However, there comes a point in time when a handover has to take place even though
it may be politically difficult."

The former Nationals deputy leader said he had considered retirement in depth with
his family, especially his wife Trudy.

"I leave knowing that I have given everything to my role in public office," the statement said.

"It has been a full and satisfying political career, of course with inevitable highs
and lows, and I have learnt a great deal along the way about the character and spirit
of local communities."

Mr McGauran was a fresh-faced 27-year-old when elected to parliament in 1983 and is
the third longest-serving current federal MP, behind Philip Ruddock and Wilson Tuckey.

Mr McGauran was sworn in as a minister in 1996 as a member of the first Howard ministry.

He held various ministerial portfolios before being elevated to Cabinet in 2005 until
November last year when the coalition was voted out of office.

Mr McGauran's announcement has already sparked speculation about the future of other
former coalition ministers - including Peter Costello, Alexander Downer and Mark Vaile
- on the opposition backbench.

But Mr McGauran said his colleagues could speak for themselves on whether they were
planning to leave politics.

"So I wouldn't even speculate as to what their motives are," he told ABC Radio.

"I know them well, we have discussed various scenarios for the future, but that is
quite out of date now."

Government frontbencher Anthony Albanese says Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson should
use the opportunity to encourage other reluctant MPs to resign.

"That would save the nation the extra cost of separate by-elections," he told AAP.

"We would argue that it's appropriate for Brendan Nelson to show leadership and that
all the by-elections take place on one day.

"There will be substantial additional costs, on top of the $600,000 for each seat,
if the by-elections are not all held on one day."

Mr McGauran, a former lawyer and racing steward, is reportedly looking for a new career
in the thoroughbred industry.

Bloodstock industry sources suggest he may be hired as the chief executive of Thoroughbred
Breeders Australia.

Mr McGauran will officially resign from parliament next week with a by-election tipped for June.

Nationals Leader Warren Truss said Gippsland had been Mr McGauran's number one priority
and the party would select a strong candidate with similar motives.

"The forthcoming by-election will be a tough, local race between local candidates,
with local issues like jobs, health, transport and living costs at the forefront," Mr
Truss said in a statement.

"We have a new generation of talented young members coming through our ranks and I'm
confident our party will select a candidate with the drive and energy to continue providing
Gippsland with a strong voice in federal parliament."

AAP kc/rl/it/de

KEYWORD: MCGAURAN 2ND DAYLEAD

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