Sydenham MP and Minister for Government Services, Treaty and First Peoples, Prevention of Family Violence and Women Natalie Hutchins announced this month she would not seek re-election in 2026.
While Ms Hutchins still has another year serving the Sydenham electorate, the Labor politician told Star Weekly the announcement had been bittersweet.
“Certainly it’s been an absolute privilege to serve the people of Sydenham,” Ms Hutchins said.
“When I was pre-selected and started campaigning, before I got elected, my son was in grade prep at a school in Keilor and he’s now in third year uni. It kind of shows the time that you put in, what that means to your family. And of course along the way I lost my husband to cancer. That was a big challenge as well.”
Ms Hutchins was first elected as the Keilor MP in 2010, and later became the Sydenham MP when the electorate was formed after a boundary redistribution in 2014.
“We’ve had so much growth… places like Taylors Hill were just taking off when I became the MP and Deanside, Fraser Rise, Bonnybrook, they were not even suburbs,” Ms Hutchins said.
“We’ve seen all these new suburbs develop. We’ve seen new community centres go up. We’ve seen a real change in diversity and we’ve seen a real growth in the number of families.”
One of Ms Hutchins’ highlights was the removal of the Melton Highway level crossing in 2018.
“That was such a dangerous and congested area… [the level crossing removal] has been a gamechanger,” she said.
Another highlight for Ms Hutchins was the opening of Orange Door services in the area — outreach facilities offering support to those experiencing family violence.
“We’ve done a lot in the family violence space. When I came into Parliament it really hit me hard how much it affects my electorate,” Ms Hutchins said.
“I’m really proud that we’ve opened up the Orange Door facilities — one in Melton and we’ve got one in Sunshine and one now in Footscray. Those services didn’t exist 10 years ago or 15 years ago.”
For Ms Hutchins, helping individuals and local families has been the most rewarding part of the job.
“To know that we’re making a difference and helping people in their lives, whether it’s helping them write funding applications… or helping an individual who’s facing homelessness…the feedback that you get from helping those individuals is pretty rewarding and pretty satisfying,” Ms Hutchins said.
“This is when you’re really changing people’s lives and helping them.”
Ms Hutchins cited health reasons for stepping down from her role.
“It’s been a challenge to work the hours I’ve got to work and balance that, and I think I probably need to step back from the ministry sooner rather than later,” Ms Hutchins said.
She said she’s confident she can serve the Sydenham electorate for the next 12 months.
Ms Hutchins will continue in her role as Sydenham MP until the next election and will remain in Cabinet until 22 December.
