Long-standing Gippsland MP Peter Hall has refuted claims he will not recontest his seat at the November election.
The Weekly Times reported yesterday Mr Hall was to retire, along with fellow National Party frontbenchers Hugh Delahunty and Jeanette Powell, according to “well-placed sources”.
In a statement, Mr Hall said he was enjoying his role as Higher Education and Skills Minister; and Minister Responsible for the Teaching Profession, and he had “no current plans for retirement”.
“As well as putting in place a new performance and development framework for Victorian teachers, my focus over the next 12 months will continue to be on improving training opportunities for regional students,” Mr Hall said in the statement.
“This was the reason I left teaching for politics in 1988.”
Mr Hall said he was looking forward to “continuing the work that needs to be done” in the lead-up to the election, particularly with the opening of Federation University at Churchill and the government increase to regional loading for training providers to 10 per cent.
The Nationals state director Jenny Hammett said the party’s preselection process would be unfolding over the next few months.
“As always, when we come into an election, sitting members consider their position,” Ms Hammett said.
