After 15 years and 5 elections, I am announcing that I won't be standing for re‑election as the member for Whitlam.
I want to express my immense gratitude to my community for the faith and trust they have placed in me to be their representative since 2010.
I want to thank the members of the Australian Labor Party, whose values I hold dear and have always attempted to advance in my role as a Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister and Minister.
I want to thank the Prime Minister for his friendship and support over many decades and for the trust he has placed in me to be the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services in his government.
To my family and friends, whose love and support has enabled me to represent our great community with the dedication it deserves, I thank you wholeheartedly.
And to all the staff that have worked with and supported me over the last 15 years, there is a long list of accomplishments we have achieved both for the electorate of Whitlam and in my role as Minister, and I couldn't have done it without you.
I have had the privilege to see the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands go from strength to strength. Growing up and living most of my life in this beautiful place I have seen many changes. We still mine coal and produce steel - but we are so much more. Our world class university educates and gives opportunity to thousands of locals every year. New suburbs have emerged from farmland, but we have not lost our ability to produce great athletes, artists, minds, and citizens.
Together over 15 years, we have achieved many things. We have connected every home and business to the NBN. We have established a National Disability Insurance Scheme. We are building new infrastructure for new suburbs, and we are restoring Medicare.
I am proud of the role I played in progressing marriage equality and gambling ad reform in my early years. I am also proud of the work we have done to secure the future of our steel industry, to rebuild TAFE and as Assistant Treasurer, fighting scams, protecting workers superannuation, making financial advice more accessible and affordable, and strengthening consumer protections for all Australians.
This great community deserves a representative who will continue to fight for the things that matter. A well‑funded TAFE system, a future for manufacturing, cheaper childcare, restoring Medicare, affordable housing, and better infrastructure for our growing suburbs.
I know Labor will choose a candidate that will do just that.
