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.

Ms White said she had written to Governor Barbara Baker to inform her of the resignation, which was effective immediately.

“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,” she 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

Ms White said the timing of her announcement allowed the electoral commission the chance to conduct a recount for the seat and enable the new member for Lyons to join the Tasmanian parliament for the first sitting week of the year in March.

She said she was keen to continue representing the people of Lyons in Canberra.

“This is a very tight race. There are only 1300 votes that separated the Labor Party and the Liberal Party at the last election,” she said.

“I want to talk to as many people as I possibly can about why re-electing a Labor government is better for our economy, it’s better for our community, it’s better for the protection of Medicare and the delivery of better public services.

“These are the things that motivate me, and I know that a lot of people understand that about me, and that’s why I’m asking for their support.

“Of course, the Liberal Party have been calling for me to resign. They should be happy now.”

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.

Labor leader Dean Winter paid tribute to Ms White.

“The qualities that made Rebecca exceptionally effective in state parliament will continue to serve her community as she officially starts her campaign for the federal seat of Lyons,” he said.

“We will miss her, but our loss is Prime Minister Albanese’s gain.”

Labor leader Dean Winter.

And former Speaker Michael Polley also chipped in with high praise.

“In 60 years of involvement in state politics, I consider Rebecca White to be one of the most outstanding members ever elected to the House of Assembly,” he said.

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 come close to 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 stood aside in favour of Ms White’s preselection.

The recount in the state seat will most likely see either Labor’s Richard Goss or Ben Dudman enter state parliament.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission said the vacancy would be advertised this weekend and nominations from candidates who stood but were not elected at the 2024 state election would close at noon on March 3.

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