LIBERAL Party member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has announced she will not recontest the Northern Victoria seat in this year’s state election, ending 24 years of service.
Ms Lovell has served a wide range of roles in her time in Parliament, serving as Deputy Leader for seven years in both government and opposition, while also serving as Minister for Housing and Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development.
Ms Lovell said it was a ‘surreal’ feeling to bow out.
“It feels very surreal at the moment. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I still really love this job. There’s still 11 months to go of this term, so I’ll be there until November,” she said.
“At Christmas, I was excited about going on for another term, as I was pleased with our new leader Jess Wilson, but when I was filling out the forms, I’d go to bed, lie there, and think whether I’m doing the right thing.
“I was asking if I was blocking younger people from coming in and having their term, and in the end, I thought this would be a commitment for five years, and how I would feel in about three years’ time, whether I would have as much enthusiasm for the job.
“I feel the time was right, but I truly love the region I represent and being able to represent the people of this area in parliament.”
Ms Lovell reflected on her time in parliament, saying there were highlights and challenges with the role.
“I’ve had a lot of personal messages on the phone, via text and on my emails that have said how sorry they are I’m going, but they’ve wished me luck and understood my decision,” she said.
“There’s lots of special moments and difficult moments, the 2009 bushfires and 2020 bushfires, the floods have been difficult periods.
“But there were highlights such as the implementation of the Education First Youth Foyer program. That provides supported accommodation for young people who can no longer live at home stable accommodation.
“I was proud to chair the ministerial council and lead the national reforms in early childhood, that raised standards in early childhood education and improved ratios of teachers to children.”
Ms Wilson said Ms Lovell could hold her head up high for her work across over two decades.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the Hon Wendy Lovell MP following her decision not to contest the Victorian state election in November this year,” she said.
“I have known Wendy for decades, and throughout that time, she has been a steadfast champion of Liberal Party values, and a tireless and passionate advocate for her community.”
