Without regrets, Alistair Coe, former member for Yerrabi and ex-Canberra Liberals leader, today resigned from the ACT Legislative Assembly after 12 years.
Mr Coe entered politics in 2008, at the age of 24, representing Ginninderra (2008 to 2016) and then Yerrabi. Mr Coe said it was an honour to have been elected four times, but that it was โtime for a changeโ.
He announced his resignation in late January, after stepping down as leader of the Canberra Liberals after Octoberโs election, in which the party suffered their sixth consecutive defeat, lost two seats, and experienced a 2.9% swing against them. Mr Coeโs electorate of Yerrabi, however, had a 4.9% swing towards the Liberals and a 10.5% swing against Labor.
โI thought perhaps there would be some regret or second thoughts, but in actual fact, as time has gone on since I made that announcement, I really have been reaffirmed that itโs the right thing to do.โ
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Mr Coe said his departure would be โan opportunity for renewal for the Canberra Liberalsโ; already successor Elizabeth Lee and deputy leader Giulia Jones were doing โa wonderful jobโ of leading the party. He was confident Ms Lee would make the case for a new government in the ACT.
In his farewell press event, he was reflective and considered โ truer to himself, perhaps, than the showboating, Boris Johnsonian technique he had adopted during the election campaign.
โOppositionโs tough,โ Mr Coe said. โItโs like being in the cockpit of a plane; you can see the controls, but you canโt touch them. So you have that frustration that youโre so close, but an inch is a mile.
โWhen you go into politics, you go in with ambition, aspiration, and a real desire to make changes. In opposition, you can do some things; itโs still a very important role. But government is where itโs at; thatโs why all members of the Assembly fight so hard to either win government or retain government.โ
He said he would look back fondly at the changes to the bus network as a result of the Liberalsโ 2016 election; the Liberalsโ advocation of an ACT integrity commission ahead of the government; and his role in exposing land deals. As a local member, he would miss helping constituents.
Mr Coe said he was not sure what he would do next; he will spend more time with his family. The last 12 years have been a sacrifice for them, he said, and they were not able to spend much time together during the election.
He did not plan to return to politics. โIโm certainly keen to keep supporting the Liberal party that I love, whether thatโs simply as a party member, as I have been for the last 20 years, or in any other capacity โฆ
โPolitics is in my blood. I love this city; I love our country. I want to do everything I can to contribute to its continued success.โ
The Canberra Liberals would miss Mr Coe, Elizabeth Lee said. He had been a formidable local member, leader, and prosecutor of issues important to Canberrans, and also a valued colleague and friend.
Mr Coeโs resignation creates a โcasual vacancyโ, an empty seat in the Assembly outside the election period. The Assembly will fill the position through counting back the votes. Mr Coeโs seat could be filled by one of three unelected Yerrabi Liberal candidates: former MLA James Mulligan (7.2% of the vote), Jacob Vadakkedathu (5.0%), or Dr Krishna Nadimpalli (3.6%).
There may also be a reshuffle in the Canberra Liberals. Mr Coe had been Shadow Treasurer, and Shadow Minister for Planning and Land Management, and for Sustainable Building and Construction. โThereโs a lot of talent around the room, and Iโll take my time in determining and discussing with my colleagues what the shape of the party will be in the future,โ Ms Lee said.
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