Judy Maddigan. MLA for Essendon to Retire at the Next Election

Judy Maddigan today formally announced her intention to retire from Parliament at the next State election in November next year.

Judy was first elected in 1996 and has been re-elected in 1999. 2002, 2006.

Judy said it had been a wonderful experience representing the people of Essendon.

"It is a great community and as I often say even the Liberal voters are nice in Essendon!!" It many ways it is like a country town" she said " It has a great community spirit and it is a very caring community."

"Compared to many people I have had a very lucky time in my association with the Australian Labor Party. I originally I was asked by it to stand, and it has supported me to achieve my goal of becoming the first woman Speaker.

"It is great to be the 'first' of anything so I am very pleased to have been the first woman to conduct question time, the first women deputy Speaker, and the first woman Speaker of the Victorian Parliament. It is good to break down yet one more barrier for the women of Victoria.

"During my time as Speaker I was able to make some significant changes to the way Parliament operates for example

1. Updating the Standing Orders, the first major update since the 19th century.
2. Instigating an aboriginal art gallery and an acknowledgement of the koori nation at the beginning of the Spring and Autumn sessions of Parliament
3. Establishing a baby-feeding room and changes to the standing orders dealing with the feeding of babies in the Parliament.
4. Instigating a corporate management approach to Parliament
5. Establishing general staff meetings for the first time in parliament's history and more democratic work practices
6. Digitising the 1891 petition of women seeking the vote, and making it available free of charge to all Victorians.
7. Establishing a heritage management fund for the Parliament House building.
8. Encouraging the appointment of the first women clerks of the Legislative Assembly.
9. Establishing long service awards for staff
10. Decreasing the cost of running the catering at parliament by increasing private functions including introducing the now famous High Teas.

"Being a member of Parliament is a great experience, and I have enjoyed being under the leadership of both Steve Bracks and John Brumby.

"By the time of the next election I will have been a member for almost 15 years, so it is time to elect a new person to represent Essendon for the future"

"I would like to thank all those people who have assisted me over the years particularly my daughter Mary, my husband Bill and my electorate officers, as well as all the ALP members in the Essendon electorate.