Victorian Labor MP Theo Theophanous will quit Parliament at the end of this week.
He informed a cabinet meeting of his decision this morning.
Mr Theophanous had planned to leave at this November’s state election.
But speaking this morning with his wife by his side, Mr Theophanous explained his departure date has been brought forward.
“The journey has been a joint journey, and we now think it’s time that I moved on and we moved on,” he said.
“You have to know in politics when it’s time to go. I’ve made a significant contribution in senior portfolios and in senior positions in government and in opposition.”
The Cypriot-born MP resigned as minister in late 2008, because of a rape allegation against him.
Police charged Mr Theophanous with rape later that year, but the charges were dismissed in 2009 when a magistrate ruled that the evidence against him was not sufficient to commit him to trial.
During his 22 years in Parliament, Mr Theophanous has served as a minister for Industry, Trade, Major Projects, Information and Communication Technology.
The Premier, John Brumby, says Mr. Theophanous received a standing ovation from caucus when he announced his decision this morning.
“I firmly believe that the decision that he and his family have taken is the right decision, it’s the right decision to draw the line,” he said.
The Opposition Leader, Ted Baillieu says Mr Theophanous has joined a long list of Labor MPs who have jumped ship.
“You now have Steve Bracks, John Thwaites, Andre Haermeyer, Lynne Kosky, Theo Theophanous. All have dumped on this Parliament, all who have left,” he said.
“That’s not a great expression of confidence in this Government.”
His departure will leave a casual vacancy in the Upper House, which Labor will fill with unionist Nathan Murphy.
(source: abc)
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