New MP for Docklands

Docklands will get a new federal MP at the next election.

The Member for Melbourne and Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner, has announced that he will not contest the election, expected this year.

The announcement came on June 24 following question time and after former prime minister Kevin Rudd stood down.

Mr Tanner said he had advised Mr Rudd that he intended to stand down and was due to discuss the matter further with him.

“My decision is absolutely unrelated to the events of the last 24 hours and is entirely related to personal considerations,” he said.

It is understood that WorkSafe executive director Cath Bowtell is the front runner to contest the seat for the ALP.