The following media release concerns Michael Danby MP’s retire­ment from Federal politics. To download this media release in PDF format, click here.

Michael Danby MP

5 July, 2018

Michael Danby’s decision to retire from Federal politics is sad news for his many friends and sup­port­ers. Since becoming the member for the Federal seat of Melbourne Ports in 1998, Michael has proven to be a politi­cian with genuine con­vic­tions who places principle above all other con­sid­er­a­tions, even the advance­ment of his own career.
On par­lia­ment­ary com­mit­tees and in the media, he has been a fearless champion for the arts and for many human rights causes, most espe­cially those which have not been fash­ion­able or popular, or which have attracted the ire of powerful interests.
In his support for the res­tor­a­tion of Tibet’s statehood and sov­er­eignty, Michael Danby did not hesitate to meet with the Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, despite the dis­ap­prov­al of certain politi­cians and bur­eau­crats who were frightened of offending the Chinese gov­ern­ment.
Nor did Michael ever take a backward step in his pas­sion­ate advocacy for Israel and the Jewish people, calling out prejudice and false­hoods emanating from any quarter, espe­cially among Australia’s purported intel­lec­tu­al leaders.  For this Michael won the respect and affection not only of the Jewish community but of fair-minded Aus­trali­ans of all back­grounds.
Australia needs more con­vic­tion politi­cians of wit and intel­li­gence like Michael.  His departure from the Federal par­lia­ment will leave a great void.
Contact:
Peter Wertheim AM | Co-CEO
phone: 02 8353 8500 | m: 0408 160 904
e: [email protected] | www.ecaj.org.au