Theophanous to quit politics

Victorian state Labor MP Theo Theophanous says it was his decision to quit politics
at the next state election after he was cleared of a rape charge.
Walking hand-in-hand with his wife Rita to face the media on Monday, Mr Theophanous
said his party would have backed him if he had decided to stay but it was time for
him to go.
He said he had a long, honest conversation on Sunday with Premier John Brumby, whom
he described as a long-standing friend rather than just a colleague.
"I've no doubt that if I wanted to stay, there were significant numbers of people
within the party who would have supported me and I could have stayed," he said.
"And I am sure that if in that context, the premier would have been pleased to have
had me.
"It was my decision."
Mr Brumby said he did not ask Mr Theophanous to quit.
"At no stage did our discussions come to that," the premier told reporters.
"It was my view that he would be best served by continuing as a backbencher, not
contesting after 2010, and spending more time with his family - that was the
conclusion that he reached with his family and children as well."
Mr Theophanous, 61, said the publicity surrounding the rape allegation against him
had not damaged the Labor Party.
"My contribution over 20-odd years speaks for itself," he said.
The former cabinet minister was exonerated last Friday of an allegation he raped a
woman on a couch at Parliament House in September 1998.
In clearing him, magistrate Peter Reardon said little credence could be given to the
complainant's evidence.
Mr Theophanous did not overtly criticise the police for charging him with rape or
the Office of Public Prosecutions for pursuing the case, but he said their
"practices" should be examined.
He said he had always welcomed controversy in his political life, including when he
fought against a weakening of the powers of the auditor-general.
"You know what, I like to be remembered for (political) controversies," he said.
"What's the point of being in politics if you're not going to get involved in
controversy?"
Mr Theophanous said he had no control over the way the rape allegation would
influence how people remembered him.
"Obviously, it's not something I chose ... as something I would've wanted to do ...
but it's a part of our history now, it's a part of my family's history," he said.
"You know they have been a terrific family. This woman (his wife, Rita) here has
been absolutely fantastic and ..."
"You're worth it, babe," Mrs Theophanous cut in, smiling.
She said it was the right time for her husband to quit politics.
"The last 10 months have been difficult, of course (there have been) some very dark
moments.
"But as Theo said, even in the darkest moments you always find some peace and ...
some strength to draw from," she said.
"It's been a challenge but we've grown through it.
"It's solidified our feelings for each other and our family's feelings for each other."
Mr Theophanous said he hoped he could make a contribution to public life in a
different way after leaving politics, possibly through the business community.
Under the Victorian Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund, retiring MPs are
entitled to a life pension after 12 years' service.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu described Mr Theophanous as a failure.
"He was a failure as a minister, he was up to his neck in the shenanigans in
Brimbank," he told reporters.
"He should have gone a long time ago."
Mr Theophanous was named in an Ombudsman's report as having meddled in Brimbank
council affairs.