Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has announced his retirement as Victorian Labor leader, Premier and member for Williamstown. The announcement came at 10.40am, following a Cabinet meeting.
Bracks said he had recently made the choice that he could no longer make the commitment to the job. He confirmed that recent events involving his son contributed to his decision.
“We have been a hard-working, responsible and compassionate government,” Bracks said. “I could not have given more to this job.” He said that as soon as he realised he could not commit to the 2010 election he decided the decision had to be made public.
Bracks said it had been an emotional atmosphere in the Cabinet meeting this morning. He paid tribute to his ministers, singling out John Thwaites and John Brumby for special mention. He said Brumby “is by any measure the best Treasurer” of any government in Australia.
A caucus meeting has been called for 11am on Monday to choose a new leader. Bracks said he would remain Premier until then. He made it clear that he would be voting for John Brumby to succeed him.
- Listen to Steve Bracks’ Resignation Press Conference:
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