Brindabella Liberals MLA Nicole Lawder won't contest 2024 election

Nicole Lawder MLA has served the community as part of the Canberra Liberals since 2013. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

Canberra Liberals Brindabella MLA Nicole Lawder has announced she will retire from politics at the end of the current term.

She won’t be contesting the upcoming ACT election in October 2024 after spending more than a decade representing the people of Tuggeranong.

Ms Lawder said she was looking forward to taking on new challenges.

“I would like to thank the residents of Tuggeranong for putting their faith in me, and inviting me into their lives, sharing their hopes and dreams and challenges,” she said.

“It has been an honour to assist them whenever I could.”

Ms Lawder was elected in 2013 and served as deputy leader of the opposition from 2016 to 2020.

Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee said Ms Lawder’s departure would be a “big loss” not just for her party, but the entire Brindabella electorate and the ACT.

“Nicole has been a champion for the people of Brindabella for over the past 10 years,” she said.

“Her dedication to her constituents has been unwavering and I know she will be sadly missed by the people in Brindabella.”

Before her stint in politics, Ms Lawder was CEO of both Homelessness Australia and the Deafness Forum of Australia.

She also served on the Tuggeranong Football Club board and volunteered for Ronald McDonald House, Community Fire Unit Fadden and the Red Cross.

“For me personally, Nicole has not only been a loyal and committed member of the team but someone with invaluable experience to rely on, especially as opposition whip, and as a senior woman MLA in the Canberra Liberals team,” Ms Lee said.

“I know that Nicole will give her very best to whatever she chooses as her next challenge. In the meantime, Nicole will remain a very dedicated and important part of the Canberra Liberals over the next 12 months as we work hard to deliver a change of government in October 2024.

“Thank you, Nicole, for your service to the people of Brindabella and to your dedication to the Canberra Liberals.”