Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey resigns from parliament, reveals battle with depression

As the first Life Member of the Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce, now the Southern Gold Coast Chamber, Jann's service to our community and the business community in particular is well documented. The Chamber of Commerce has had a long and productive relationship with Jann as our State member and as a member of the Chamber. In her time as Small Business Minister and subsequently responsible for the Commonwealth Games in the Newman Parliament, Jann delivered many excellent outcomes for Currumbin and the Gold Coast region and the State. More recently the movement and subsequent cancellation of the SandTunes event was a result we could not have achieved without Jann's extremely valuable input. 

As published by the Gold Coast Bulletin 22.01.2020:

In a bombshell statement that stunned LNP colleagues and the Government this evening, the long-serving MP said: “I am unwell and have been for some time.”

Ms Stuckey was due to retire after the State election in October but said she had been “swamped” by “the black cloud”.

“I thought it would never happen to me but it got me and it’s been overwhelming.”

Ms Stuckey pointed to the “bullying, personal attacks and insults” she has endured in recent months, saying being “ridiculed and abused for standing up for my community” was “taking its toll”.

Her resignation is effective February 1.

“I am unable to give the electorate that I love so dearly the attention and energy that I have provided for the past 16 years and hope everyone will understand how difficult it has been to make this final choice,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The past twelve months have been a real struggle for me and I deeply resent insensitive reporting I am fed up or I am spitting the dummy — I am unwell and have been for some time."

“The black cloud just swamped me over and over again when I least expected it."

“It is important to note that no other workplace would put up with the level of bullying, personal attacks and insults that take place in politics. It’s getting worse and it needs to change."

“Insults that used to be like water off a duck’s back started to affect me. Being ridiculed and abused for standing up for my community and speaking out on their behalf was taking its toll in a manner that was detrimental to my health."

“I have made the immensely tough decision to leave now and focus on getting well and hope I can contribute in the years ahead to this wonderful community who have put their faith in me for so long."

“I thank the people of the Currumbin electorate from the bottom of my heart for giving me the honour of serving them since 2004. It has been a truly wonderful privilege.”

It is understood a by-election to replace the member for Currumbin will be called by the Premier shortly.