Deputy Premier to announce not contesting 2012?

[ozbob]

Radio reports that the Deputy Premier Mr Lucas is about to announce he will not be contesting the 2012 election.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Lucas to retire from politics

Lucas to retire from politics
Daniel Hurst
September 15, 2011 - 11:05AM

Mr Lucas, a former health minister who was dogged by the health payroll scandal last year, currently serves as the Attorney-General and holds the Local Government and Special Minister of State portfolios.

The outgoing Deputy Premier became emotional as he thanked his partner and four children for their support.

"After 15 years I think it's time for me to move on and for renewal to take place," he said.

Mr Lucas rejected suggestions from reporters he was "jumping from a sinking ship" amid poor polls for the Labor government.

"Anna Bligh is the best leader we have in Australia and the best leader for the Queensland Labor Party," he said.

"I'm confident she'll win the next election and she'll win it with my 150 per cent support."

In January last year, Mr Lucas revealed he had had an epileptic seizure, but said that would not hold him back from political life.

Today, Mr Lucas said his decision to retire was not related to his diagnosis last year, although he said he needed to lose weight.

He said he made the decision to retire in the past week, after speaking to Premier Anna Bligh and his family.

Mr Lucas paid tribute to both Ms Bligh and former premier Peter Beattie, whom he applauded for their leadership.

"I couldn't have asked to serve under two more inspirational leaders," he said, heaping praise on Ms Bligh for her performance during the summer disasters.

Mr Lucas said last year's health payroll rollout, which led thousands of Queensland Health workers to be wrongly paid, was "the most significant issue" he faced during his ministerial career.

"We let people down," he said.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser is expected to take over as Deputy Premier.

Mr Lucas would not comment on the prospects of Mr Fraser taking over except to say he enjoyed working with him.

"The relationship between Anna, myself and Andrew has been the most enjoyable professional relationship I've had in my life," he said.

Mr Lucas thanked his constituents in his Brisbane bayside seat of Lytton and paid tribute to the colleagues he had worked with over the years.

Before the end of the media conference this morning, Mr Lucas said he wanted to make one thing clear.

"I don't dye my hair. It's how it is," he said.

Mr Lucas said he had once received a letter from a constituent that said "why do you dye your hair? It makes you look older".

As he left, Mr Lucas said: "It's a great, great privilege and peace be with you."

Mr Newman said Mr Lucas should have been sacked before now over his ministerial failures.

"Today's announcement from the Deputy Premier and the Premier is not any sort of change that Queensland needs," he said.

"Queensland needs real change. This is the rearranging of the deckchairs on the Titanic."

Mr Newman demanded Ms Bligh call a snap poll.

"Today I am calling on the Premier to let the people have their say. Call an election," he said.

"We need a real change in this state. We need to get Queensland back on track and the only way that can happen is with an election."

Mr Lucas has represented Lytton since 1996, winning the seat in a by-election after the retirement of former deputy premier Tom Burns. *

During his ministerial career his portfolios have included health, transport, main roads, infrastructure and planning.

In February, Mr Lucas rejected speculation that he would retire at the next election.

"I intend to contest the next election," he said at the time.

Ms Bligh today paid tribute to her departing deputy.

"Paul Lucas has a strong record as a loyal servant to the people of Queensland and has delivered so much to help transform this state in more than a decade as one of the hardest working ministers Queensland has ever had," she said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/lucas-to-retire-from-politics-20110915-1kajf.html

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Paul Lucas to quit politics at next state election

[Stillwater]

ABC reported this on 11am radio news bulletin.  Maybe he is too ashamed of his broken promises -- duplication to Landsborough and CAMCOS to Caloundra by 2015 among them.  I am hoping that in three years time, RailBOT chatterers will hire a bus with CAMCOS written on the side to make the symbolic journey from Beerwah to Caloundra in recognition of the Lucas broken promise.  We can call the bus 'Paul'.

Maybe a few more under-performing Cabinet members can move on -- influenced by moral persuasion.

But, we can say this is a 'world class' decision on the part of Mr Lucas. 

Mr Lucas will step down as deputy premier tomorrow.  Andrew Fraser probably has the numbers to become deputy and the anointed one to Anna Bligh.

[O_128]

Probably the best and only world class thing this man has done considering everything he touched turned to ****

[ozbob]

Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State
The Honourable Paul Lucas
15/09/2011

Paul Lucas announces retirement from politics

Queensland Deputy Premier Paul Lucas has announced he will retire from politics at the next State Government election.

Mr Lucas, who has been in Queensland Parliament for 15 years, will also step down as Deputy Premier tomorrow but remain as Attorney General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister for State.

Mr Lucas has been the Member for Lytton since 1996, served as a member of state Cabinet since 2001 and has been Deputy Premier since 2007.

He was first appointed to Cabinet in 2001 when he served as Minister for Innovation and Information Economy until 2004.

Following that, Mr Lucas served as Minister for Transport and Main Roads between 2004 and 2007.
In 2007, he was elected by Caucus to be Deputy Premier and was also appointed Minister for Infrastructure and Planning.

Following the 2009 election, Mr Lucas was re-appointed Deputy Premier and appointed as Health Minister and continued as Health Minister until March 2011.

Mr Lucas stayed and was then appointed as Attorney General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State.

"I'm proud to be part of a Labor Government that has served Queenslanders well and changed Queensland for the better," Mr Lucas said.

"That's why I'll be staying on to fight for the re-election of a Labor Government with Anna Bligh at the helm.

"The reality is that 15 years is a long time in politics and I believe now is the best time for me to announce that I won't be contesting the next election.

"I have been truly privileged to represent the Electorate of Lytton for 15 years and I thank my constituents for choosing me to represent them.

"It's a vibrant and lively community and I'll be sad to stop taking up their causes in Parliament."

Mr Lucas thanked his family, Premier Anna Bligh, former Premier Peter Beattie, his Ministerial and Parliamentary colleagues and electorate and ministerial staff who have worked with him over the years.

"Each portfolio has had its challenges and enjoyments and I've been privileged to work with people I greatly admire."

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
15/09/2011

Premier pays tribute to Paul Lucas' strong record

Premier Anna Bligh today paid tribute to Deputy Premier Paul Lucas, who has announced he will relinquish the Deputy's role and will not contest the forthcoming State election.

Ms Bligh said Mr Lucas had been a dedicated Member of Parliament who had worked tirelessly for the people of Lytton throughout his 15 year parliamentary career.

Mr Lucas will remain in the Cabinet as Attorney General and Minister for Local Government until the election.

"Paul Lucas has a strong record as a loyal servant to the people of Queensland and has delivered so much to help transform this state in more than a decade as one of the hardest working Ministers Queensland has ever had.

"His steadying hand as deputy has been crucial for my government as we have worked to create jobs, bolster our economy and improve services."

Ms Bligh said as Queensland's first Minister for Innovation, Mr Lucas kicked off the Smartstate agenda, setting Queensland on the path to becoming home to some of the best science, research and biotechnology in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

"As Minister for Transport and Main Roads he grabbed the infrastructure challenge by the throat, initiating some of Queensland's largest and most important building projects including:

    The Gold Coast's new rail lines to Varsity Lakes and new Rapid Transit System;

    Gateway Bridge duplication;

    Airport Link;

    Inner Northern Busway under King George Square and next to Roma Street Railway Station;

    Townsville Ring Road;

    Bundaberg Ring Road;

    The Forgan Bridge and Hospital Bridge in Mackay; and

    An Integrated ticketing and a uniform fair structure for South East Queensland.

"As Health Minister, Paul oversaw Australia's biggest hospital rebuilding program, doubled the number of Cochlear implants to help deaf children, and expanded the tele-health network to give patients access to specialist appointments wherever they live in our big state.

"He has also been a reforming Attorney-General, overseeing major changes to election campaign financing to make our democratic system more transparent than ever, and played a strong role in the introduction of Drink Safe Precincts to crack down on alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour, whilst improving public safety."

"Paul's many substantial achievements are too numerous to list - he can be proud of his strong record and service to all Queenslanders.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Paul as Attorney-General and as a Minister on important reforms over the coming months," she said.