Rebecca White quits state parliament to focus on federal election

Former Labor leader Rebecca white has quit state parliament to focus on her tilt at the seat of Lyons in the upcoming federal election.

Former Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White steps down from state parliament to focus on federal election tilt. Picture: David Killick

Former Labor leader Rebecca White has quit state parliament to focus on her tilt at the federal seat of Lyons in the upcoming election.

She made the announcement in a media conference at Bridgewater on Wednesday.

She said she had written to the Governor to inform her of the resignation, confirming it was effective from today.

“The time has come for me to step aside and focus my energy on the upcoming Federal election campaign, where I hope to continue my service to our community of Lyons in the Australian Parliament,” Ms White said.

“It has been the honour of my life to represent Lyons in the Tasmanian Parliament and I hope that I have done my community proud.”

Labor candidate for Lyons Rebecca White. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

She said the timing of her announcement allowed the electoral commission the chance to conduct a re-count for the seat and enable the new member for Lyons to join the Tasmanian parliament for the first sitting week in March.

Ms White was elected in the state seat of Lyons at the 2010 state election and served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Minister for Human Services.

She led the party in opposition from 2017 to 2024.

The date of the federal election has not yet been announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but a half-Senate and House of Representatives election is expected to be held by mid May.

Ms White is facing off against Liberal Susie Bower, who enjoyed a 4.2 per cent swing in her favour at the 2022 federal election to came within 700 votes of wresting the seat from incumbent Brian Mitchell.

The result turned Lyons into the second most marginal Labor-held seat in the nation with a buffer of just 0.92 per cent.

Mr Mitchell has stood aside in favour of Ms White’s candidacy.

Her resignation from state parliament will prompt a recount in the seat, which would most likely see either Labor’s Richard Goss or Ben Dudman enter state parliament.

Originally published as Rebecca White quits state parliament to focus on federal election