AN EMOTIONAL but restrained Sid Sidebottom congratulated Liberal candidate Brett Whiteley at his Forth home last night, saying he would not run for office again.
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Mr Sidebottom, who returned as the Labor MHR for Braddon in 2007 after losing the seat in the 2004 election, said he was disappointed for himself and his team of supporters.
"We had a fantastic plan for the North-West ... and I congratulate Brett and the Liberal Party, they're going to form government," Mr Sidebottom said.
"I hope now with the result that the people have voted for, that we get on with being positive about our region, tackle those issues we need to tackle and look positively for the future."
Mr Sidebottom said he was proud of what he had done during his time in office, singling out the Burnie Regional Cancer Centre as a key achievement.
He said he had just one regret.
"Look, I've spent a lot of time away from my family and friends, and you can't get it back, and you've got to keep saying to yourself that it's worth it, and you've got to reinforce in your family that you love them very much," Mr Sidebottom said.
"Maybe I haven't said it enough, I do regret that, but I really, really love this job and I love where I live and I love the people that live here."
Mr Sidebottom said he would not try to resurrect his political career again.
"I do want to thank not just the voters of Braddon - I've been honoured very much to be elected by them on a number of occasions - but I've also been lucky enough to work with the team of people I've worked with and I'm so proud of that," he said.
