General News
6 February, 2026
McArthur farewells departing MP
WESTERN Victoria MP Bev McArthur has congratulated a departing colleague, noting he had lived up to lofty expectations which had formed one of her chief strategies to represent the region in Parliament.
Fellow Member for Western Victoria Joe McCracken announced earlier this year he would not recontest the 2026 Victorian Election, just four years after first being elected.
Mr McCracken cited a desire to look after his family and his health as a driving motivation behind the decision, saying politics deserves 100 per cent commitment which he could not give for the next four years.
As leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council, Mrs McArthur thanked her counterpart for his dedicated efforts.
“Joe entered Parliament with a clear sense of purpose and a deep connection to the community that raised him,” she said.
“Throughout his time in office, he has been a principled and hardworking representative who never lost sight of who he was there to serve.
“Having worked alongside Joe in Parliament, I have seen firsthand his focus on delivering practical outcomes for regional and rural Victorians, whether that be fixing neglected state roads or standing up for communities against unfair taxes like the Emergency Services Levy.”
Mrs McArthur said seeing a fellow Liberal Party member elected to represent Western Victoria had been among her earliest priorities.
“In my first term, I was the only Liberal Member for Western Victoria Region, with the immense responsibility of representing approximately half-a-million people spread across nearly 80,000 square kilometres,” she said.
“One of my chief goals during that time was to identify and help elect a second Liberal Upper House colleague to better serve our region.
“In 2022, we achieved that goal. Joe and I received the emphatic endorsement of Liberal Party members at our preselection, and together we were elected by Western Victorian voters.”
Mrs McArthur congratulated Mr McCracken on the positive impact he had made through his roles in opposition.
“Joe brought a thoughtful and measured approach to his work, particularly in his roles as a Shadow Assistant Minister, Shadow Cabinet Secretary and Chair of the Legal and Social Issues Committee,” she said.
“I value his sound judgement and his unwavering support for me in my roles as Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council, Shadow Minister and Member for Western Victoria Region.
“Above all, Joe has always acted with integrity and with the best interests of his community at heart.
“His roots in Western Victoria shaped both his priorities and the way he conducted himself in public life.
“I thank Joe for his commitment, his service, his contribution, and his friendship, and I wish him every success and happiness in the next chapter ahead.”