Stephen Jones with Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Cunningham MP Alison Byrnes at Port Kembla Steelworks to announce the declaration of an Illawarra offshore wind zone. Photo: Jen White.
Stephen Jones has surprised his electorate and colleagues by announcing his resignation from parliament, just months out from a federal election.
The Federal Member for Whitlam (formerly Throsby) since 2010, Mr Jones gave no reason for his departure in his announcement on Thursday morning (30 January).
“After 15 years and five elections, I am announcing that I won’t be standing for reelection as the Member for Whitlam,” the Assistant Treasurer said.
“I want to express my immense gratitude to my community for the faith and trust they have placed in me to be their representative since 2010.
“I want to thank the members of the Australian Labor Party, whose values I hold dear and have always attempted to advance in my role as a Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister and Minister.
“I want to thank the Prime Minister for his friendship and support over many decades and for the trust he has placed in me to be the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services in his government.
“And to my family and friends, whose love and support has enabled me to represent our great community with the dedication it deserves, I thank you wholeheartedly.”
Mr Jones, who married last year and turns 60 in June, grew up in the Illawarra and is one of five children.
“I grew up in Wollongong, in a big Catholic family,” he writes on his website.
“There was always lots of kids, lots of noise, lots of sport, not so much money, but a strong commitment to working hard, getting a good education, and making a contribution to the community that you live in.”
He attended St Brigid’s Primary School, Gwynneville, before attending Edmund Rice College in Wollongong, where he graduated as dux and school captain.
He completed a BA (history and politics) at the University of Wollongong, while working on various local health services and youth projects, before moving on to a law degree.
On Thursday morning, Mr Jones paid tribute to the staff who have worked with and supported him over the past 15 years.
“There is a long list of accomplishments we have achieved both for the electorate of Whitlam and in my role as Minister, and I couldn’t have done it without you,” he said.
“I have had the privilege to see the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands go from strength to strength.
“Growing up and living most of my life in this beautiful place I have seen many changes.
“We still mine coal and produce steel – but we are so much more.
“Our world-class university educates and gives opportunity to thousands of locals every year. New suburbs have emerged from farmland, but we have not lost our ability to produce great athletes, artists, minds, and citizens.
“I am proud of the role I played in progressing marriage equality and gambling ad reform in my early years.
“I am also proud of the work we have done to secure the future of our steel industry, to rebuild TAFE and as Assistant Treasurer, fighting scams, protecting workers’ superannuation, making financial advice more accessible and affordable, and strengthening consumer protections for all Australians.”
Original Article published by Jen White on Region Illawarra.
