By DAN MOSS, State Parliament Editor
LATEST: Tim Holding will put politics aside after 15 years in public life, sparking a by-election in his seat of Lyndhurst.
The by-election date has not yet been set but the Greens have already announced they will run for the lower house seat.
Mr Holding, who is the shadow treasurer and was a police and water minister in the Bracks and Brumby governments, said his greatest achievement in the electorate was “investment in our local schools”.
“Young people in my electorate are being given the very best possible start in life, and that’s a huge thing,” he said.
He said he would spend two months considering his future career but ruled out federal politics.
Mr Holding was elected to Springvale in 1999 before a redivision abolished the seat and created Lyndhurst, a safe Labor seat which Mr Holding won in 2002 and has held since.
He was a Waverley councillor from 1992 to 1994.
Greens Leader Greg Barber said he aimed to make the by-election a referendum on transport.
He said it was too early to say who his candidate would be.
The Liberal Party is not expected to field a candidate in the seat.
Liberal
Party state director Damian Mantach said a decision had not been made
on whether his party would field a candidate, but in recent past
by-elections when Labor MPs resigned a Liberal candidate didn’t run.
“We will announce our intentions in the near future,” he said.
Mr Holding acknowledged a by-election would be an inconvenience.
“It’s only fair to step aside and give Daniel and my colleagues the opportunity to select a team that will take Labor to the next election.
“I couldn’t have sat there with a clear conscience on the backbench waiting to retire.’’
As water minister Mr Holding approved the Wonthaggi desalination plant, which will cost $24 billion over 28 years and has so far not been substantially used, and built up water infrastructure.
He defended his legacy: “When drought comes again, the use of that water will save our city.”
Mr Holding, a former soldier and a hiker, said he wanted to play a role in getting young people to discover the outdoors, and was going to keep fit while choosing his next role.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said another MP would be chosen on Monday to take on Mr Holding’s portfolios of shadow treasurer and industry spokesman.
Mr Andrews said it was “an honour” to serve with Mr Holding.
dmoss@mmpgroup.com.au
