Statement - Member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher to leave Parliament at next federal election

Today I announce that I will not run for re-election at the forthcoming federal election. 

It has been a considerable privilege to represent the people of Bradfield, and to serve as, successively, a Parliamentary Secretary, Minister and Cabinet Minister between August 2013 and May 2022, and as a senior Opposition frontbencher since May 2022.

Outcomes I am pleased to have helped deliver include the eSafety Commissioner, the Mobile Black Spots Program, Western Sydney Airport, the News Media Bargaining Code and new funding and tax offsets for TV, movies and digital games.  Most of these Labor has continued and sought to claim credit for since coming to government: the closest you get to praise from your opponents in this game.

I advocated for a road user charge; I tried to allocate broadcast spectrum more efficiently. Neither effort succeeded but I do not regret for a second having a go. 

Locally, I campaigned for the missing motorway link between Wahroonga and Pennant Hills from the day I was elected. It was funded, built and delivered during my term. 

None of this would have been possible without the Liberal Party. I particularly thank all our members, supporters and donors in Bradfield. 

Nor would it have been possible without my family and particularly my beautiful and talented wife Manuela, my stepson Gabriel and my son Hugo. 

Last week I marked fifteen years as Member for Bradfield. Renewal is healthy, for people and institutions, and now is the right time to hand over the baton. 

I expect some outstanding people will put themselves forward to be the next Liberal candidate for Bradfield, and to serve the people of Bradfield with energy and commitment.  That Liberal candidate, once chosen through our party processes, will have my full support.

While we will take nothing for granted in the campaign, the local mood is discernibly different from 2022. People want to get rid of the hopeless and chaotic Albanese Labor Government – and voting for the Liberal candidate is the only way to secure this outcome.

I will continue to serve my constituents in Bradfield for the balance of this parliamentary term. 

I will also keep working for the election of a Dutton Liberal Government. Two years ago political commentators wrote off our chances of coming back any time soon; thanks to Peter Dutton’s focus and leadership, the next election is now extremely contestable. 

Once my term ends and I have taken some time for travel and rest, I plan to return to the private sector. My focus will be in the communications, digital technology, infrastructure and transport sectors where I have worked extensively in both public and private sector roles. 

I will leave with a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve in Parliament and as a Cabinet Minister; a continued (if in some places tempered and better informed) faith in Australia’s democratic system; and considerable optimism about the future of this remarkable country we all love so much.