Political veteran Ron Cornish fought back tears yesterday as he told how his 22-year parliamentary career had taken a toll on his family.
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Mr Cornish, 54, who described Premier Tony Rundle as his best friend in politics, spoke of the pressures on MPs and their families. "My wife has raised my three children and I suppose, if it's the one thing I regret in politics, is not having that time with the children. She's given up a lot in that time and she's fully behind what I'm going to do," he said.
"I've stood for seven elections now and I think the time has come to let new Members into the Parliament and for some of the older Members like myself to step aside."
Mr Cornish confirmed that he would not stand for the next election, but said he would stand for the newly formed Greater Braddon Council because he still wanted to serve his community.
"I still want to make a contribution to public life and I believe my experience, time and expertise in Parliament would do justice to one of the 12 positions on the council," he said.
Mr Cornish, who is the longest-serving sitting Liberal member, has held 14 ministerial portfolios, including those of Attorney-General and Justice, Finance and Budget Management, Finance, Public Sector Administration, Industrial Relations and Leader for the Government in the House of Assembly.
Mr Beswick, 60, also announced he would not contest the election after 19 years in Parliament, saying that he wanted to live life as a private citizen.
Mr Beswick, who is one of the longest-serving Cabinet ministers, was elected in Bass in 1979. He has held 16 ministerial portfolios, including those of Deputy Premier, Education, Police, and Mines and Forests (his current job).
Both men vehemently dismissed suggestions that their departure was damaging for the Rundle Government as it prepared for the August 29 election.
Braddon Labor MHA Mike Gard said that the two ministers had jumped ship because they knew the Government was on the slide.