Prebble decides he's had enough

Richard Prebble

Former Act leader Richard Prebble has scotched once and for all talk that he may remain in Parliament.

He has confirmed that he will retire at this election and work for the Solomon Islands Government.

Despite pleas from Act for him to stay, Mr Prebble told TVNZ's Agenda programme on Saturday that he had been in Parliament long enough.

He was first elected in 1975 and served continuously except for three years after he lost Auckland Central in 1993 to the Alliance's Sandra Lee.

He stepped down as Act leader last year, sparking a bruising primary that saw Rodney Hide take the reins.

Mr Hide said yesterday that Mr Prebble had been courted to stay because he was the country's best parliamentarian.

Mr Hide said Act had not been approached yet by former Auckland Mayor and National MP John Banks about standing.

Asked if he wanted the issue sorted out sooner rather than later, Mr Hide said the party had a candidate selection process and many people were putting their hand up.

"It's for John to decide whether to put his name in the ring."

Richard Prebble

* Age: 57. Lawyer.

* Parties: Labour, Act.

* MP: Auckland Central 1975-1993, Wellington Central 1996-1999, Act list MP since 1999.

* Key minister in the fourth Labour Government. Headed privatisation programme.

* Leader of Act 1996-June 13, 2004.