Brian Mitchell “saddened” to leave parliament but praises Rebecca White’s endorsement

In the wake of Labor’s formal endorsement of Rebecca White to stand in Lyons, sitting MP Brian Mitchell has said work continues until the writs are issued. Read his farewell comments.

Brian Mitchell MP, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Anne Urquhart tour the Tassal processing facility at Barretta. Picture: Chris Kidd

The federal Labor member for Lyons Brian Mitchell says he is “sad” to be leaving parliament but is “excited” that former leader Rebecca White has now been formally endorsed to run in his seat.

She was endorsed by the party on Friday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced this week Ms White would replace Mr Mitchell despite him winning his seat – one of the most marginal in Australia – at the past three elections.

Mr Mitchell thanked voters and his staff for their work “transforming lives” describing Ms White as “tough, smart, experienced and hard-working”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sorell to announce Rebecca White former state leader of Labor as the Lyons Labor candidate for the next federal election. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Davis-Jones

“Whilst I am saddened to be leaving the parliament and a job I’ve loved for eight and a half years, I am genuinely excited at the prospect of Rebecca White joining the federal Labor Caucus,” he said in a statement.

“Rebecca is a once-in-a-generation talent and will be a terrific representative for regional Tasmania in Canberra.

“I have been proud to be part of a Labor government which in its first term has created one million new jobs, two big Labor budget surpluses, dramatically reduced Liberal inflation, got wages moving again and delivered bigger and better tax cuts for everyday Australians.

“I am also proud to have been part of a team that has cost-of-living relief at the top of its agenda, and which has delivered power bill relief, cheaper medicines, fee-free TAFE and higher wages to aged care and early childhood education workers.

“I would like to thank my staff (and former staff) for the incredible work they’ve done since 2016, assisting countless constituents and sometimes literally transforming lives.”

Labor MP Brian Mitchell promised to eat his hat if the Bridgewater Bridge was on time.

Mr Mitchell thanked Labor volunteers and his family “for allowing me the freedom to do this job” but singled out Lyons’ electors for supporting him at three polls.

“Most of all, I’d like to thank the electors of Lyons for putting their trust in me for the past eight and a half years. I’ve never taken even one day for granted,” he said.

“We’ve still got a few months to go between now and when the writs are issued for a new election, so it’s back to work for now to build Australia’s future here in Lyons, across Tasmania and all over the country.”

Originally published as Brian Mitchell “saddened” to leave parliament but praises Rebecca White’s endorsement