D’Ath is done and dusted
Veteran MP bows out
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath will quit politics at the next state election, declaring it is time to “allow myself to look after me” after almost two decades in politics.
The Redcliffe MP, who just three weeks ago moved to dismiss rumours she was preparing to exit, said the choice to not recontest in October was difficult.
“This decision has not been made lightly and comes with some sorrow but also excitement about what journey I may embark on next,” she said.
“I want to thank the former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for her friendship, leadership, and her support over the past 10 years.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank Premier Steven Miles for his support over many years, including during my time as Health Minister.
“I thank the Premier for his ongoing support for me to continue to serve in my current ministerial role through to the end of the term.”
Ms D’Ath said she made the decision to retire from politics after mulling it over during the Christmas break – the first uninterrupted time off she has had since the Covid-19 pandemic. In an unusually candid media conference, she said it had been a “good innings” and it was time to see what else she could do outside politics after serving in both state and federal parliaments.
“It gave me time to think, time to talk to my children … and now is the right time,” she said. “I’ve done 16 years, I’ve sacrificed and my family has sacrificed a lot.
“My kids spent their whole childhood watching me go into schools of other kids and miss a lot of their own events.”
And the decision was purely personal she said, affirming it was not because confidante and friend Ms Palaszczuk had left the top job and Mr Miles took over. Ms D’Ath nominated the small but significant legislative changes as among the highlights of her time in parliament and as AttorneyGeneral.
This included “lemon laws” around consumer rights and defective vehicles, getting offensive slogans painted on camper vans off the roads, and reforms brought in during the legalisation of same sex marriage. Women’s rights and legalising abortion were also listed as accomplishments.
Mr Miles said he had been in discussions with Ms D’Ath in recent weeks, with her decision likely made in “recent days”. He stood by Ms D’Ath to stay in the role as the state’s top lawmaker.