AFTER 24 years of service, The Honourable Wendy Lovell MP has announced she will not recontest the seat of Northern Victoria Region in the November 2026 state election.
In a statement, Ms Lovell reflected on her career in politics, saying that it has been a great privilege to represent the people of Northern Victoria Region, and before that, North Eastern Province, in Victorian Parliament.
“Shepparton has been my home for my entire adult life and the opportunity to represent the region I care so deeply about has been the great honour of my life,” she said. “I thank the people of Northern Victoria Region and North Eastern Province for electing me six times.”
Over a period of seven years, Ms Lovell has served as Cabinet Minister in the Ballieu and Napthine governments, as Minister for Housing, and Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Deputy Leader for the Government and Opposition (Council).
“I am particularly gratified that programs I introduced, such as Education First Youth Foyers, have become embedded in Victoria’s housing response.
“The Victorian Liberal Party’s values embody the aspirations of all Victorians, and I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to represent those values as a country Liberal MP,” she said.
“I would like to thank those members of the Liberal Party who have served as the chair or as an executive member of my electorate council and the thousands of party volunteers who have supported me over the years. I particularly thank my current chair John Lithgow who has held this position for many years.”
“I would like to thank my family for their unwavering love and support. Whenever needed, they have been there as a grounding influence, a cheer squad or as counsellors during some of the tougher times like the 2009 bushfires and 2022 flood. Without them, my career would not have been possible.
“Behind every Member of Parliament is a hard-working team and I would like to thank my current electorate staff Tamara, Claire and Rob, and my former electorate and ministerial staff for their incredible loyalty, dedication and hard work.
“Lastly, I wish Jess Wilson, my colleagues, and all Liberal candidates every success for the November 2026 election.”
