by Michaela Meade
Yan Yean MP Danielle Green will not be seeking re-election in 2022.
Ms Green has held the seat for Yan Yean since 2002 and served the community for close to two decades.
Ms Green said that like many people, the COVID-19 pandemic had made her think about the things most important to her.
For her, that is her family.
Ms Green took leave earlier this year to care for her husband, amid health problems, but said that wasn’t sustainable.
“I want to be in a job post-parliament … that I can say ‘look, I’ve got to go to hospital’ and be off for some time,” Ms Green said.
“That’s not something you can really do as a parliament member.
“You can’t say to 60,000 people, ‘I’ll get back to you later’.
“The people of Yan Yean deserve better.”
Ms Green said when she ends her term come November next year, she can say she has no regrets.
“The electorate, it’s changed so much over the past 20 years,” she said.
“It’s changed me too.
“I’ve learned so much … I’m richer for having had this job.”
Ms Green said career highlights included the opening of over 10 new schools and “dozens of upgrades” for others, the opening of Mernda station and extension of the South Morang rail line, community sporting club evolutions, including women’s sport becoming more prominen, having two Royal Commissions – family violence, and mental health – and seeing the outcomes from the reports, and upgrades to police and fire stations in the area.
“Seeing all that come to fruition … there’s nothing more satisfying,” she said.
“There’s not too many jobs that you’d feel that kind of satisfaction.”
Ms Green said she hoped her successor in the role has similar values to her own, and connects and makes themselves available to the community.
