Long-time Labor backbencher Michael Danby has confirmed he will retire from Federal Parliament, setting up a preselection race for his inner Melbourne seat.
The controversial MP had been under pressure from his own party’s hierarchy to retire, after party officials had reportedly lost faith in Mr Danby’s ability to retain the marginal seat of Melbourne Ports.
With a margin of just 1.4 per cent, Melbourne Ports is expected to be hotly contested by both the Greens and Liberals at the next election.
Mr Danby’s decision to retire will be a blow to Greens strategists, who saw the veteran backbencher as a liability for Labor. He has served in Parliament for 20 years.
Labor officials are believed to have been quietly trying to persuade Mr Danby to relinquish the seat.
Read the article by Benjamin Preiss in The Age.