Fed; Family will come first, says retiring Williams

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2004
Fed; Family will come first, says retiring Williams

PERTH, April 5 AAP - Communications Minister Daryl Williams today said his decision
to retire at the next election was driven by a desire to put his family first.

Mr Williams has announced he will not contest his safe West Australian seat of Tangney.

"I have decided for family reasons that I won't be standing as candidate for re-election
for the seat of Tangney in the coming federal election," he told Perth radio 6PR.

"I was pre-selected. Since then I have been giving thought to the future and I think
it is time I put my family first."

Mr Williams said it was a "tough trot" being a federal minister from WA.

"But I think what we need to bear in mind is that it is not only the person who is
the member and the minister who suffers. The family is affected as well," he said.

Mr Williams said he had been an MP for 11 years, and a minister for eight years.

"In that time a typical week has me home for a day and a half out of seven days.

"The family have been very supportive over the years, but they have paid a price."

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KEYWORD: WILLIAMS LEAD

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