Former Territory kingpin Gerry Wood to retire

IN AN emotional speech to parliament, long time Territory independent Gerry Wood announced his retirement from parliament at the next election to care for his wife of more than 45 years, Imelda, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia 18 months ago.

Independent MLA for Nelson Gerry Wood takes in the sights during the first sitting of the 2019 Parlimentary year. Picture: Justin Kennedy

LONG time Territory independent Gerry Wood has announced his retirement from parliament at the next election.

Speaking in parliament last night, he said he made the decision to care for his wife of more than 45 years, Imelda, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia 18 months ago.

“I suppose I hoped (her illness) would go away, but as many other things, I know this will not go away,” Mr Wood said in an emotional tribute to his wife.

“It has an end, which we do not know when.

“So it is time I cared for her. She has cared for me for many years whilst at the same time raising three daughters, a couple of nieces, a few grandkids in the mix, not forgetting looking after the dogs.

It's a sad day in NT politics. Gerry Wood Independent MLA for Nelson has announced he will retire at the next election due in August 2021. His wife has dementia and he must devote himself to her care.

— Ken Parish (@KenParish1) February 14, 2019

“She has put up with my involvement in both local government and Territory politics for over 30 years,” he said.

“She has put up with my absenteeism, sometimes only seeing me for maybe 10 minutes per day when I got home late at night while I worked on legislation and speeches and other parliamentary matters, or when I was away interstate or overseas.

“She has put up with my stupid mistakes, which I will always regret and were embarrassing to her and my family.”

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Mr Wood said he hoped his seat would be taken by another independent.

The father of the house, Mr Wood has been in parliament since 2001, representing the rural seat of Nelson.

Fiercely independent, the political conservative has courted controversy throughout his lengthy political career, most recently due to his strong anti-abortion stance and for calling for politicians to consider a NT/South Australia merger.