Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt quits politics, throwing seat into chaos

A Far North MP has announced his shock resignation from Parliament, throwing the race wide open in a key Queensland electorate ahead of October’s state election.

Curtis Pitt, MP Speaker and State Member For Mulgrave is expected to announce he will quit politics before the state election on Thursday. Steve Pohlner

A Far North MP has announced his shock resignation from Parliament, throwing the race wide open in a key Queensland electorate ahead of October’s state election.

With just 65 days before voters head to the ballot box, Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt declared on Thursday morning that he will not recontest his seat, ending a 15-year run in politics.

Mr Pitt said his call to quit has been informed a desire to spend more time with his three young children and his parents’ poor health.

“I’ve always said that the day I wake up and don’t feel I can give it 100 percent, then it’s time for me to do something else,” the Queensland Speaker said.

“When I think back, all of my kids have been born since I’ve been an MP. Having been a member of Parliament for five terms, I know that I’ve missed so many important milestones and occasions.

“I also have parents who have failing health and just like they’ve been there for me, I want to be there for them.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli paid tribute to the former treasurer’s contribution to Queensland politics.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt was first elected in 2009. Image: Steve Pohlner

“On a personal note, whilst we don’t share political allegiances, we do share a friendship,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“I want to thank you for your service.”

The news comes as a major blow for the Labor Party who were desperate to hold onto safe seats in their quest for an unlikely victory over the LNP in just over two months’ time.

The ALP currently holds 51 of a total 93 seats in the state’s Legislative Assembly but are facing long odds to hold onto critical electorates, including the bellwether seat of Barron River, taking in Cairns’ northern suburbs.

The popular southern Cairns MP has held a strong margin in his electorate, obtaining 48.1 per cent of the vote at 2017 election, before slightly extending that lead to 49.86 per cent in 2020.

Curtis Pitt, MP Speaker and State Member For Mulgrave is expected to announce he will quit politics before the state election on Thursday. Steve Pohlner

His closest rival at the last election was the Coalition’s Gerry Vallianos, who could only muster 25 per cent of the primary vote.

Prior to the last state election Mr Pitt denied rumours of his own resignation following a mass exodus of Labor frontbenchers, including then Tourism Minister Kate Jones, Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Anthony Lynham and Communities and Disability Services and Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke.

Mr Pitt at the time said he was choosing to fight on for the many services and infrastructure requirements in the “growth corridor” of Cairns.

“My family and I live in the community I represent, and it’s the growth corridor of FNQ so I want to be part of shaping that future,” he said in 2020.

The LNP have yet to determine who their candidate will be for Mulgrave with the ALP now forced to scramble to find a contender to fill Mr Pitt’s shoes.

Mulgrave has been dominated by the father-son duo of Warren and Curtis Pitt with the pair having served the electorate for more than a quarter of a century.

Mr Pitt is the last of seven Labor MPs who survived the party’s 2012 election wipe-out still in parliament. He was treasurer in Annastacia Palaszczuk’s first government before becoming speaker when Jackie Trad replaced him in February 2018.

Originally published as Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt quits politics, throwing seat into chaos