Workplace Relations Minister and ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden has announced she will retire from politics at the November election, stating she does not wish to commit to another full term in Parliament.
“I simply want to do more in life,” she said.
“It’s no secret the job is 24/7, and I think what I am going to enjoy is having a couple of weekends back.”
Brooke van Velden, 33, will continue serving as a minister until the election. She said that by the time she steps down, she will have completed nine years in Parliament, including three years working alongside David Seymour on the End of Life Choice bill and six years as ACT’s deputy leader.
“That’s a long time. It’s a lot of your youth as well,” she said.
She said she initially discussed the possibility of stepping down with David Seymour and ACT’s general secretary before Christmas before confirming her decision earlier this year. Brooke van Velden added that the demands of political life made it hard to pursue another direction simultaneously, saying, “You can’t have one foot in and one foot out.”
Van Velden said she expects to transition into the private sector after the election, although she has not ruled out a return to public service in the future.
ACT is set to confirm a new deputy leader at its general meeting in June. David Seymour said the party will choose a replacement candidate for Tāmaki within the next month.