NICOLA Roxon’s resignation from the federal seat of Gellibrand has sparked a frenzy of speculation as to her likely replacement in the trophy Labor seat.
Ms Roxon announced on Saturday that she would step down immediately as attorney-general and retire from politics at the September 14 election.
The bombshell capped off a torrid week in federal politics in which Prime Minister Julia Gillard set the election date and former Labor MP Craig Thomson was charged with 150 counts of fraud over the alleged misuse of union credit cards.
Ms Roxon quashed suggestions that her retirement, along with that of Senate leader Chris Evans, was a case of rats deserting a sinking Labor ship. “I have always wanted to represent the community at 200 per cent, but I didn’t think I could continue that,” she told the Weekly this week. “I’m looking forward to being able to spend a bit more time with my daughter [Rebecca] while she is still in primary school.”
Ms Roxon said she was proud of her 15 years in Parliament and Labor’s legacy while in power.
“This is an area with a very vibrant ethnic mix; it really has been a lovely community to have represented.”
Ms Roxon, 45, first stood for election in 1988, replacing former treasurer Ralph Willis.
Parachuted into the role by Labor heavyweight Senator Stephen Conroy, Ms Roxon acknowledged the “natural” wish for a local candidate but side-stepped the sticky question of who might take the country’s second-safest seat.
Much of the speculation has focused upon Senator David Feeney, likely to lose his senate spot at the next election, and ex-Victorian Premier Steve Bracks. Local Labor party figures have also begun jockeying for the role.
Ms Roxon said local party members would have the opportunity to put forward a candidate but noted there were also “talented” people in the wider community.
“I don’t think as the outgoing member I should be interfering in the process,” she said. “Because I have still got another seven months left, at the moment I am focused on finishing my time.”
Ms Roxon categorically ruled out a return to politics, scuttling suggestions she might be eyeing Marsha Thomson’s state seat of Footscray in a play for Labor’s leadership in Victoria. “I have had a very good time and had a lot of support, but this is the end of my political life.”
