ACT Labor will go to next year's election without its longest serving member and one of the government's strongest performers, after Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell announced he would retire at the end of the term.
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Mr Corbell's announcement to end a nearly 20-year tenure in the Legislative Assembly comes ahead of a campaign fought in large part on his highest profile ministerial responsibility, the government's plans for light rail.
The veteran of Labor's left faction will remain in the cabinet and as deputy leader until the October 2016 poll. He said the announcement was prompted by preselection jockeying for the expanded Assembly.
Leaving politics had been one of the most difficult decisions of his life, Mr Corbell said. He planned to explore new professional opportunities, possibly related to renewable energy and sustainability.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr paid tribute to the 44-year-old, who serves as Attorney-General and Minister for Health, Environment and Capital Metro. Mr Barr said he expected "the vast majority" of the Labor team to contest the election but would let individual members make their own announcements.
The then 26-year-old Mr Corbell was first elected in a countback in January 1997 after former chief minister Rosemary Follett's retirement. He was elevated to deputy leader last year after former chief minister Katy Gallagher moved to the Senate.
At the 2012 election, the former police, planning and education minister only just edged out competition from his own party, winning 1909 primary votes in the Molonglo electorate. Elected alongside Ms Gallagher and Mr Barr, Mr Corbell won fewer first preference votes than Assembly newcomer Meegan Fitzharris, who was subsequently elected in a countback in January.
Mr Barr acknowledged Mr Corbell's role as a mentor to many Labor politicians and staffers and said he would be missed in the caucus. Environmental campaigners were among those disappointed by his retirement plans.
Mr Corbell said he would work for the re-election of the Barr government over the coming 14 months, nominating his record as Environment Minister on reducing the impact of climate change and the territory's 2013 same-sex marriage laws as among his proudest achievements.
"I have been very fortunate to be elected and then re-elected on five subsequent occasions but I will be looking to pursue a range of things, particularly my interests in sustainability and renewable energy.
"I make this decision confident as to the future of the Labor team and this Labor government. I remain passionate and very enthusiastic about the future directions of the government," Mr Corbell said.
Acknowledging the difficulty of politics and public life, he said many Canberrans did not fully appreciate the challenges and diversity of issues faced by Assembly members.
Mr Corbell has spoken openly about dealing with depression, including his decision to take leave from the Assembly in 2004. He thanked his family members for their support.
"It is a challenging role but is fundamentally a most extraordinary privilege and opportunity. I have learnt things, seen things and talked to people who I otherwise never would have met," he said.
"Public life is fundamentally a good calling, fundamentally a rewarding calling and one where you can absolutely make a difference."
The construction of light rail from the city to Gungahlin, set to begin before the election, would help "transform the city" and create jobs.
"I have been a member of the Assembly for most of my adult life. It is a confronting thing to make a deliberate decision that steers your life in a different direction and an unknown direction."
Mr Barr praised his deputy, with an eye to the coming election fight. Despite being absent from the announcement, Education Minister Joy Burch and Labor veteran Mary Porter will contest the election, their spokesmen said.
"There's always unfinished business," Mr Barr said. "There is never an ideal time but the right time is when you make that decision, and Simon has done that in the usual dignified, graceful and passionate way that he has conducted all of his public life."
He called Mr Corbell "one of the most skilled politicians ever to step foot in the Legislative Assembly".
Mr Barr conceded the departure left a significant gap in his ministerial line up but offered the chance for renewal of Labor and the frontbench.
Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson added to praise for Mr Corbell's record.
"He has been a long servant of the Assembly, he's the father of the house. It is a significant announcement and we'll look forward to his next journey in life."
