Martin Pritchard: Another WA Labor MP calls time on career, bringing retirement total to 10

A WA Labor politician has announced his retirement from politics — bringing the total number of Government MPs not contesting the next election to 10. Martin Pritchard, the Labor Member for the North Metropolitan Region, announced his retirement to the Upper House on Wednesday evening. He told colleagues he would be retiring to spend more time with his grandchildren. “After 10 years as a shop assistant serving customers, 26 years as a union official serving members, and the 10 years in this place ... serving constituents, I’m now very contentedly looking forward to retirement,” Mr Pritchard said. “I’m looking forward to the end of this term to spending a lot more time with (my grandchildren) while they still want to spend time with their grandpa.” Mr Pritchard, aligned to the SDA as part of the Right faction, was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2015, following the retirement of Ljiljanna Ravlich. His departure marks the 10th Labor MP to call time on their careers at the next election, including Attorney General John Quigley, Commerce Minister Sue Ellery and former ministers Bill Johnston and Peter Tinley. Mount Lawley MP Simon Millman, Landsdale MP Margaret Quirk, Kalamunda MP Matthew Hughes, Gosnells MP Chris Tallentire and Maylands MP Lisa Baker have also announced their retirements.