Jaala Pulford to step away after Vic poll

Victorian minister Jaala Pulford has announced she will not contest next month’s state election.

The member for the Western Victoria region on Friday thanked her colleagues and said her many years in office had been a rewarding journey.

“Around the time of the 2006 Commonwealth Games my family was driving through Melbourne,” Ms Pulford said in a statement.

“My husband Jeff pointed out a big building and said: ‘Hey kids, mum is going to work there’.

“Four-year-old Sinead exclaimed to her little brother, ‘It’s a fairy castle!’

“That little brother is now 18. We still call Parliament House ‘fairy castle’ and, while that may never change, the time has come for me to seek new challenges.”

Ms Pulford was conscious she was making the decision to step aside on the eve of the November state election, but said she was absolutely confident that the time was right for her and the government.

“I’ve given my all to public life, but it’s given me so much more,” she said.

“It’s time for me to make way for the next generation, and I cannot wait to see them thrive.”

Ms Pulford was first elected in 2006 and holds Victoria’s employment, small business, resources, innovation, medical research and the digital economy portfolios.

She previously served as minister for regional development, agriculture and roads.

Mr Andrews said Ms Pulford would remain in her portfolios until the end of the term, continuing to support flood-recovery efforts until a new government was formed.

“For as long as I’ve known her, Jaala has been a devoted advocate for working people,” he said.

“Making their conditions better and fairer, speaking up for them in the face of gross injustices.

“Protecting them from some truly shameful conditions affecting their health and wellbeing.”

Mr Andrews recalled Ms Pulford’s inaugural speech at Victoria’s Legislative Council.

She spoke about the profound role decent work could play in giving people the dignity they deserved, and the profound duty governments had to protect workers.

“She carried that compassion with her into parliament and I have no doubt it’s what has driven her every day,” Mr Andrews said.

“Her achievements in government have been outstanding.”

Ms Pulford’s daughter Sinead died of cancer, aged 13, shortly after Labor came to government in 2014.

Mr Andrews said the minister’s colleagues were, and still are, in awe of her strength.

“To see her continue to manage her ministerial responsibilities with such heart, while holding on to that pain, was nothing short of remarkable,” the premier said.

“She made the Victorian parliament a kinder, more thoughtful place.

“She gave us all cause to reflect, and to garner a little perspective.

“She will be sorely missed by many on both sides of the aisle.”