By Shelby Brooks
Pakenham-based Eastern Victoria MP Cathrine Burnett-Wake won’t be standing for election this November after the Liberal Party voted to replace her last month.
Ms Burnett-Wake was sworn into the Victorian Legislative Council in December last year following Edward O’Donouhe’s resignation from the seat.
“It has been an honour to have had the opportunity to represent the residents of Eastern Victoria,” Ms Burnett-Wake said.
“I have met many wonderful people and community groups during my time. Unfortunately, I won’t be continuing the work I started, but I am grateful for the opportunity I had to help the people of Eastern Victoria.
“I was able to make a difference in the short time that I had. I am now looking to the future and alternative ways by which I can continue my public service.”
Ms Burnett-Wake has been replaced with Renee Heath, a chiropractor from Sale which some media has reported is a “religious conservative”.
The preselection vote was close, with Ms Heath winning 55 votes to 53.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy defended Ms Heath after concern was raised about her family’s connections to a conservative church which in the past has come under hot water for appearing to support gay conversion therapy.
“Renee is not her father, Renee is not her uncle, Renee is not her family, Renee is herself,” Guy said.
“She’s a professional woman, she’s in the health field, she’s a professional person. I’ll ask people to judge Renee by Renee and not by anyone else.”
Recently, Ms Burnett-Wake spoke of the importance of access to abortion during a debate of an abortion bill introduced to parliament by Reason Party leader Fiona Patten.
“[It’s] dangerous to assume that our abortion laws will never change and that there will not be other pushes for legislative change that creates further harm,” she said.
“There are changes on the horizon and soon some of these seats may very well be filled by representatives who do not believe in sensible freedoms for every individual.”
