Waldron to retire from politics

Sport and Recreation and Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron announces his retirement. Terry Redman watches on as Mr Waldron holds back tears. Picture: Ian Munro/ The West Australian

One of the nice guys of WA politics, Sports Minister Terry Waldron, will step down from Cabinet before Christmas after announcing he will retire from Parliament at the 2017 election.

Mr Waldron made the announcement flanked by nine of his Nationals colleagues at a sometimes teary and laughter-filled press conference this morning.

Nationals Leader Terry Redman paid tribute to Mr Waldron and revealed he had picked a replacement to be elevated to Cabinet, but would not reveal who it was ahead of discussions with Premier Colin Barnett.

Mr Waldron, a former WAFL footballer who served on the WA Football Commission, was elected as the member for Wagin in 2001 with a primary vote of 28 per cent.

By the last election in March 2013, he had more than doubled his personal vote to 63.68 per cent, turning Wagin into the safest seat in WA with a two party-preferred margin of 26 per cent.

This morning Mr Waldron, who is also the Minister for Racing and Gaming, said had always believed one could achieve more by getting on well with people.

I think sometimes in politics we let politics override us sometimes, he said.

Really Ive just tried to do the job. Im probably not the most out-there political animal, but I try to work with people, I try to take people with me because I found in my life, thats how Ive been able to achieve things.

Its a simple thing. We always talk to kids about respect and its up to us grown ups to make sure we show people respect as well. Ive always tried to do that and I think that comes back and enables you to build relationships.

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Waldron to retire from politics