Carpenter loses another MP

as posted on TheWest


WA Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale has announced she will quit politics at the next State election.

Ms McHale is the second female Labor MP to announce their resignation in less than a week. Swan Hills backbencher Jaye Radisich announced last week that she would not contest the next State election.

Flanked by Premier Alan Carpenter, Ms McHale said her decision would allow her to pursue other challenges outside the political sphere.

She told the Premier of her decision two weeks ago.

“I think in our living we make the decision when the time is right… for me the time is right,” Ms McHale said.

The mother of one said politics could be tough but she had no regrets about her time in politics.

She planned to pursue other opportunities in the State.

Mr Carpenter admitted he was concerned so many female politicians were leaving the parliament.

“Nobody likes to see good people leave the parliament but I understand her decision,” Mr Carpenter said.

“We are lucky we have so many good strong women contributing to the State.”

Ms McHale was elected to Parliament as the member for the then seat of Thornlie in 1996.

She became a Minister in the first cabinet of Premier Geoff Gallop in 2001

She was appointed Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; and Culture and the Arts.

Since then she has also held the portfolios of Indigenous Affairs, Tourism and Consumer Protection.

Ms McHale said the area of child protection had been one of her more difficult portfolios.

She came under fire while Minister for Community Development after 11-month-old Perth baby Wade Scale died in tragic circumstances after the DCD ignored concerns raised by relatives.

The WA Government agency responsible for child protection was criticised by a coroner for the way it handled the case.

The baby drowned in a bath and had consumed adult medication.

KAREN HODGE

as posted on TheWest