Veteran Labor senator and former minister John Faulkner is to retire in early 2015 after 25 years in federal parliament.
“It’s over and it’s time to go,” Senator Faulkner told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
He will officially step down between Australia Day and the first sitting of federal parliament in February next year.
The NSW parliament will then be required to endorse a successor nominated by the ALP.
The 60-year-old started work as a full-time ALP official in 1980.
He held five portfolios in government and served as leader of the opposition in the Senate from 1996 to 2004.
“Real improvements to people’s lives, to human rights, working conditions, health and education come through progressive policies turned into legislation by Labor governments,” he said.
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While he won’t be a delegate to next July’s ALP national conference, he will take part in local branch activities and campaigns.
“I owe the Labor party everything,” he said.
His position is expected to be filled by Jenny McAllister, who was preselected in July to run in his place on the NSW Labor Senate ticket for the 2016 election.
She has been ALP national president since 2011.
