The State election has signaled the end of many political careers, some forced and some by choice.
There are some very disappointed politicians about after Labor’s state election victory ended many political aspirations.
One former MP who is not sorry to end her public career is former South Coast Liberal Shelley Hancock.
After a career in state politics that began in 2003, Ms Hancock officially retired at midnight on March 24 2023 on the eve of the state election.
At 71-years of age, Ms Hancock said she has no regrets and will not miss the long hours in meetings and campaigning and has opened up about the personal impact of social media during her term in politics.
Ms Hancock said, “It’s pretty bitter and twisted and some of the comments that I have received over the years have been pretty hurtful , even though you say you have a thick skin, it can be very hurtful.”
“Things that are just wrong and things that are lies, things that are personal but I have learned to be more thick skinned than I was, I used to be very sensitive about those things.”
Despite that, the former Minister for Local Government is proud of her achievements during a career spanning local and state government.
Ms Hancock said, ” I think we have achieved a great deal, I have sat on the opposition bench in state parliament and it was pretty tough because it seemed to me that nobody was taking notice of the deaths and dreadful fatalities on the Princes Highway, so that seemed to be my campaign for eight years.
“Also a new police station in the Bay and Basin, the former Labor Government didn’t want to listen and now there it is, and so many things I drive past, I think, I remember that campaign, I remember we did this, so I am really proud of the achievements.”
“We’ve made some great strides for New South Wales, things that had to be done; Roads, infrastructure and hospitals, this was about saving lives and having better facilities and the South Coast deserves all of that.”
Ms Hancock reflecting on the end of her career said , “I am turning 72 this year and I felt its time to retire and spend time with my grandchildren.’
“But I am tired, you get tired and I hope the future is rosy for the seat of South Coast and New South Wales but I can be proud of my record in state parliament and the South Coast has always come first for me.”
Ms Hancock who is an avid gardener said, “I now just want to live a quiet life, people often ask me what I will do when I retire and I say nothing, I just want to put my feet up and think about the future, and after more than 40 years in public life, I just want to hide now.”
Images: Newsroom
