Tasmanian Liberal Member for Braddon Gavin Pearce has announced he will not run in the next federal election.
Pearce made the decision after “much deliberation and consideration”, he said on Tuesday.
It means the Liberals will need to find a new candidate for the seat Pearce has won at the last two elections.
“During my two terms in politics, I have given this role my everything,” Pearce said.
“I can sincerely and honestly say I could not have done more, and I genuinely believe the region is in a better position than when I commenced my service.”
Pearce said his time in politics, which includes two decades in the defence force and in agriculture, had taken a toll.
“It has come at the expense of my family. My two little girls, aged nine and two and my partner Megan,” he said.
“They are my family who I rarely see, let alone spend time with. The time has come to make them my priority.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff thanked Pearce for his service.
“Gavin has been an outstanding representative for the people of Braddon over the past five years,” Rockliff said.
“He has been a fierce advocate for the North West, West Coast and King Island, particularly for those living in rural and regional areas, as well as our primary industries across farming and agricultural communities.”
Tasmanian Liberal Party President Michael McKenna said Pearce had been a “champion for Braddon”.
“Gavin’s decision to not recontest the next election is understandable, after sacrificing so much time with his young family in service of his community,” McKenna said.
“Our regions need strong and passionate representatives to speak up for them in Canberra, and that’s what Gavin has done time and time again.”
The Tasmanian Liberal Party will reopen nominations for the seat of Braddon and continue its internal pre-selection processes.
