[First filed: January 16, 2009 @ 08:44]
The Canberra Times has the scoop that the rusted on Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, plans to carry his bat and up stumps after the next election.
Younger readers might be surprised to discover that Canberra has Labor members of Parliament with both of them (Annette Ellis in the south as well as Bob) vieing for the title of least active local member in Australia.
[Hint: there’s also rumours of a Labor Senator called Kate Lundy]
Apparently setting out a timetable for retirement could be an attempt to stave off a challenge by younger, hungrier types in the ALP.
The CT is suggesting that our own Chiefly Stanhope is eyeing up a federal seat, something his ideals and interests would probably be better suited to.
UPDATED: The ABC reports that Mr. Stanhope plans to rule over the ACT forever and has no designs on the big house.