Alby Schultz, the Liberal member for Hume, has announced that he will not contest the next federal election.
Schultz has represented the safe Liberal seat in south-east NSW since 1998. Prior to that, he served ten years in the NSW Legislative Assembly as the member for Burrinjuck.
The Hume electorate includes Bargo, Binalong, Boorowa, Bundanoon, Cootamundra, Cowra, Crookwell, Goulburn, Grenfell, Gundaroo, Gunning, Harden/Murrumburrah, Jugiong, Marulan, Murrumbateman, Picton, Sutton, Tahmoor, Tarago, Thirlmere, Wilton, Yass and Young.
At the 2010 election, Schultz polled 53.56% of the primary vote, an increase of 12.96%. After distribution of preferences, he won with 58.72% of the two-party-preferred vote, an increase of 3.37%.
Text of statement from Alby Schultz
As 2012 is the commencement of my 25th year in State and Federal politics as the elected Liberal Member representing the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Div) I have advised the New South Wales State Director Mr Mark Neeham that I will not be contesting the next election. The time is right for me to move on and allow the Liberal brand to be maintained in Hume by a capable committed Liberal.
After much thought I have made the decision that I will not contest the next election as I believe a new Liberal candidate in Hume will have a fresh approach and a willingness to work hard in Hume. As the longest serving Member for Hume since Federation, it is with mixed feelings that I have reached this conclusion. I feel it is time for me to move on despite wanting to continue serving the electorate that I feel so deeply and passionately about.
I have and will always be grateful to the people in Hume for the privilege and honour they gave me to represent them at two levels of Government.
The support, loyalty and friendship shown to my wife and me is testament to the spontaneous generosity of all Australians. We have made many friends from all walks of life, of all political persuasions and for this we will be eternally grateful.
The residents of Young and Harden Shires are uniquely placed to be congratulated for their patience and indeed tolerance in supporting me “warts and all” as their local member continuously for the past twenty five years.
I encourage those Liberal Party members who will participate in the candidates’ pre-selection process for the Hume electorate, and indeed the Gilmore electorate, to be mindful of the need to select a Liberal best suited to secure the seat and serve them and the community with honour and distinction.
I look forward in my spare time to giving my son Grant Schultz my full support should he be pre-selected as the candidate for the Gilmore electorate.
After service to three levels of government it is time for me to step aside. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to try and make changes for the better in Hume. I will of course continue to work hard for my constituents up until the day before Polling Day.
