Queensland MP resigns to care his wife from suffering illness

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Veteran Queensland politician John McVeigh has resigned from his federal seat of Groom in south-east Queensland.

Dr McVeigh said, he was resigning to spend more time with his wife Anita, who has been suffering from an illness.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Dr McVeigh as a true gentleman who would leave Parliament with the respect and admiration of colleagues.

Mr Morrison said, this is a difficult time for John and his family. Like all Australians, our obligations to our families come first. I commend John for his decision and wish him, Anita and their family all the best and for Anita to continue on her road to recovery with John by her side.

Dr McVeigh submitted his resignation, effective immediately, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Friday morning. Close friends and family are aware that my wife Anita successfully overcame significant illness and surgery in 2018. A further relapse earlier this year that required hospitalisation in Sydney was a tremendous shock to my family. Although his wife’s health was improving again, he needed to concentrate on her wellbeing.

Dr McVeigh said, Anita's health was improving again and it was his family's absolute priority to keep it that way triggering his decision to step down from the demands of federal parliament. Whilst I have been humbled to have held a variety of roles in public office, there is nothing more rewarding than working, more often than not on a confidential basis, with local constituents, businesses, school communities and so many community organisations and charities, on their issues. As they say in politics you can never please all the people all the time but these endeavours have been my greatest honour.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack tweeted that Dr McVeigh was a thoroughly decent man who got things done, while Health Minister Greg Hunt, the federal member for Flinders, said he wished Dr McVeigh's family well. John McVeigh has been a tremendous servant to the constituents of Groom and the Australian people. My thoughts are with his family as they face this challenge together.

Mr Sinodinus tweeted in response to Mr Pitt that Dr McVeigh was a gentleman and a scholar.