Theo Theophanous
By Belinda Nolan
STATE Labor MP Theo Theophanous retired from politics last week, marking an end to his 21-year career.
The controversial MP announced his decision in Parliament and received a standing ovation from ALP colleagues.
A former Minister and Opposition Leader, Mr Theophanous had been dogged by controversy since being named as a person of interest in the Ombudsman’s infamous report into Brimbank Council last May.
The Upper House MP announced in July that he would not contest the next election but promised to serve out his term.
But Mr Theophanous last week stood down from his Parliamentary position, declaring it was his last week as an MP.
“It was not an easy decision to go at this point, but it is the right decision for me and my family,” Mr Theophanous told Parliament on Tuesday.
He previously stood down from the cabinet after being charged with rape in 2008.
The charges were thrown out of court in July last year.
Mr Theophanous said he hoped to become an ambassador to promote diabetes awareness in Melbourne’s North-West.
“I believe when you have been in public life as long as I have you should give something back,” he said.
