Queensland senator Joe Ludwig to resign at next election
Queensland Labor senator and former Rudd and Gillard cabinet minister Joe Ludwig has announced he will not run in the next federal election.
Senator Ludwig, whose term began in 1999, announced his resignation at an ALP Queensland meeting last night, saying it was time to pass the baton to a younger generation.
He said his decision would give the branch more time to hold a full ballot ahead of the next federal election.
"In assessing what is in the best interests of the Labor Party I believe it is appropriate time to indicate my intentions so that a new generation can start to step forward to serve their party and their country in the future as I have had that honour," he said in a statement.
"When I finish my term as Senator I will leave with no regrets.
"I have had a thoroughly fulfilling and entirely unexpected career in the senate."
As agriculture minister in 2011, Senator Ludwig banned live exports of cattle to Indonesia after the ABC's Four Corners documentary showed graphic images of Australian cattle being whipped, beaten and dismembered in dozens of prolonged and painful slaughters.
His father is Bill Ludwig, a powerful figure in the Queensland right faction dominated by the Australian Workers Union.
Senator Ludwig said he had been a supporter of greater branch member involvement in the selection of senate candidates and looked forward to the process occurring in Queensland this year.
Former state secretary and 2015 campaign director Anthony Chisholm is considered the main contender to take over the seat.
Senator Ludwig said his career highlights included making it simpler and easier for people to access social benefits when he was human services minister.
As Labor special minister he said he drove a culture of openness and transparency and as agriculture minister he tackled challenges of a long-term future for Australian farming, fisheries and forestry.
