Giddings looks to life after politics

FORMER premier Lara Giddings, the only woman to have led a Tasmanian government, will bow out of politics at the next state election.

Shadow Attorney-General Lara Giddings. File picture: Sam Rosewarne

FORMER premier Lara Giddings, the only woman to have led a Tasmanian government, will bow out of politics at the next state election.

Ms Giddings, who led the state from 2011-14, will announce today she will not recontest the seat of Franklin at the poll scheduled for early next year.

The shadow attorney-general has been under intense pressure from inside the Labor Party to step aside and allow the return of former union boss and minister David O’Byrne.

But the popular Ms Giddings will complete her four-year term.

The recent elevation of 34-year-old Rebecca White to the ALP leadership convinced the 44-year-old it was time for generational change.

“I leave as the next generation takes over with Rebecca White leading the Parliamentary Labor Party, and new people joining our party room with the recent elections of Josh Willie, Shane Broad and Sarah Lovell,” Ms Giddings told the Sunday Tasmanian.

“The Labor Party is on the rise and I am confident that it will continue to go from strength to strength under Rebecca’s strong leadership.”

Ms Giddings said she would be looking at new opportunities outside of politics.

She is not believed to have secured another job and is understood to be keen on spending time with her partner and his family.

Ms Giddings has previously spoken about her desire to have children, and the difficulties of doing so while juggling a political career.

In recent months she had declined to comment as speculation mounted about her future.

Instead, she insisted her focus was on voluntary assisted dying legislation she is preparing to bring before parliament.

But the opening of nominations for ALP preselection last week meant a decision could no longer be delayed.

Attention will now turn back to Mr O’Byrne and his decision as Labor looks to improve on its single seat in Franklin.

Ms Giddings is likely to be remembered as a tough, articulate and affable politician with social reforms at her heart.

Her time as premier was defined by a tricky power-sharing arrangement with the Greens in tough economic times — all during the dying days of Labor’s 16-year rule.

As well as becoming the state’s 44th, and first female, premier, Ms Giddings was the youngest woman elected to an Australian parliament at age 23 in 1996.

She became premier at 38, inheriting the power-sharing deal when premier David Bartlett resigned.