NORTH Metropolitan MLC Ken Travers has announced he will retire from State Parliament after nearly 20 years.
The Labor politician said it was the right time to leave politics and hoped to formally tender his resignation by the end of next week
“I’ve taken a long time to consider this decision but I think it is the best time for myself and for the party for me to retire from politics and pass the baton on,” he said.
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READ NOW“I’ve absolutely thoroughly enjoyed the honour and the privilege I’ve had over the past 19-and-a-half years to be a member of Parliament to represent the great people of the northern suburbs.
“I’m not walking away from those values that I hold or any of those things.”
Mr Travers stepped down as Opposition transport spokesman and several other portfolios in June last year, citing health concerns.
He has been a passionate campaigner for public transport, especially in Perth’s northern suburbs, and said that would continue.
“What we need is a long term vision for transport and I will never forget and lose my passion to be advocating for good public policy,” he said.
“Things like (seeing) the Yanchep railway line that was promised is finally delivered for people in that corridor and for the people all the way from Perth out to Yanchep who will benefit from that line, because the traffic on the Mitchell Freeway will be come a nightmare if that railway extension is not built.”
He said he was proud of his time in Parliament.
“I think my proudest achievement is that I’m leaving holding my head high with integrity,” he said.
“Knowing I’ve made a contribution to the best of my ability, knowing that the policy areas that I’ve been involved in are better for me having been involved and hoping that I’ve made a positive contribution to the people of the northern suburbs.
“Helping that one individual family in the northern suburbs that was battling bureaucracy, couldn’t through the door, and you helped sort out their problems…I’m really proud of those things as much as anything else I’ve done in Parliament.”
WA Labor leader Mark McGowan praised Mr Travers’ political career.
“He made a significant contribution across a range of portfolios and has been a passionate advocate for transport and planning,” he said.
“Ken gained respect from across the political divide and from a wide range of community and stakeholder groups because of his sincerity and commitment to pursuing positive policy outcomes.”