The Labor frontbencher Kate Ellis has decided to quit politics at the next federal election, citing the need to spend time with her family and school-aged son.
Ellis, who was widely seen as a rising star in the Labor ranks, announced her intention to step down in a letter to her Adelaide constituents on Thursday.
In it the shadow minister for early childhood education, Tafe and vocational education said she believed Bill Shorten and Labor “can and should win the next election” but she would be “absolutely miserable” to miss family time with her son.
Shorten has praised Ellis’s 13 years of “outstanding parliamentary service”, labelling her a “trailblazer” and a champion for education.
Ellis held the education portfolio in the last term and held numerous ministries during the Rudd and Gillard governments, including youth, sport, early childhood education, the status of women, childcare and employment participation.
She said the decision had been a hard one because she loved her job, and it was a privilege to represent the people of Adelaide. “I would love to be able to play a key role in a federal government focused on the needs of the Australian public and working to improve our amazing country,” she said.
Ellis said her son, who had travelled with her to Canberra as a baby, was starting school and she couldn’t “bear the thought of spending at least 20 weeks of every year … away from him and the rest of my family”.
“When I think about having to regularly miss things like his first day at school, his presentations at school assembly, a first sporting match or even just being there for him when he is sick and wants his mum, I know that it would make me absolutely miserable.”
The nation will miss @kateellismp. Outstanding minister, fierce advocate for SA & role model for young women - JG
— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) March 9, 2017
Ellis was an advocate for higher pay for childcare workers and the restoration of years five and six of needs-based education funding agreements negotiated by the Gillard government.
In October she called for a radical overhaul of childcare, including consideration of abandoning the current subsidy system in favour of universal childcare or the government directly purchasing childcare places.
In a statement, Shorten said he would be sad to see Ellis go but respected her decision.
Guardian Australia understands Ellis will step down from shadow cabinet and her portfolio in the near future.
In addition to considerations of replacing Ellis with someone of the same sex and faction, Ellis’s replacement is likely to be from a small state.
Jockeying for Ellis’s shadow cabinet position is underway, with fellow South Australian rightwinger Amanda Rishworth a strong contender.
Elevation of a person from the ministry to shadow cabinet will create a further vacancy, which the right will not necessarily push to be filled by a woman, with Nick Champion a possibility for a shadow ministry.
At a press conference in Adelaide with Shorten, Ellis said she would hate for her legacy to be sending a message that young women shouldn’t aspire to enter federal parliament.
“Ultimately, this is about what works for me and what works for my family,” he said. “It is not a generalised reflection on the way it has to be for all women or for all parents.
“But, I should say to any young women who are thinking about a career in politics, I would say go for it.”
Asked who should replace Ellis in Adelaide, Shorten said he hoped “that the Labor party in South Australia sends us another talented woman” but did not comment on who could take her shadow cabinet position.
Shorten said it had been a privilege to work with her and Labor wished her and her family “every happiness in the future”.
“A champion for education – from early childhood to schools, skills and universities – Kate speaks with passion, understanding and experience, of how great education can transform lives and empower people to fulfil their potential.”
