Coalition frontbencher and member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher has announced he will not run for re-election at the next federal election.

Fletcher, who has served as the MP for Bradfield since 2009 and was a minister and cabinet minister in both the Morrison and Turnbull governments, said in a statement on Tuesday he would fully support the person chosen to be the next Liberal candidate in the area.

“Renewal is healthy, for people and institutions, and now is the right time to hand over the baton,” said Fletcher.

The decision to leave his role as an MP comes only a day after North Sydney Independent Kylea Tink announced she would be leaving federal parliament rather than contest the Bradfield electorate. In September, it was announced Tink’s division of North Sydney would be abolished, with her constituents being spread between Bradfield, Warringah, and Bennelong.

What’s next for Bradfield in the 2025 election?

The 2022 federal election had a notable change in Bradfield, as independent candidate Nicolette Boele generated a 12% swing against Fletcher. Boele was unable to claim victory, but the swing demonstrated potentially significant changes in attitude in the electorate, which has been a Liberal stronghold for 75 years.

In a statement on Tuesday, Boele said that while she and Fletcher disagree on many things, she admired his long period of service and noted his work drafting vehicle emissions standards to reduce car pollution. “It was a good move,” said Boele, “although it was ultimately blocked by the Nationals and other climate sceptics in the Coalition partyroom.”

“For 75 years, one political party has held Bradfield. Now is the opportunity for an independent to make a difference for Bradfield.

I’ve had thousands of conversations with members of our community this year who feel let down by the political parties. The supermarket shop has never been more expensive, our power bills keep rising, and our children and grandchildren can’t buy a home.”

With the election set to take place in the first half of next year, the Coalition faces the challenge of finding a new candidate who can establish themselves and connect with the community in a short space of time.

Boele — and other candidates — will no doubt aim to capitalise on the shift and make a case for change.

Photo Credit: AAP / Mick Tsikas