Labor Senator Pat Dodson will retire on Australia Day next year following his treatment for cancer.
The Indigenous WA senator is known as the 'Father of reconciliation' for his decades long work advocating Aboriginal affairs – including as a Commissioner into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and serving as the first Chair of Reconciliation Australia.
Senator Dodson took leave in April this year for medical treatment, and today informed Labor's Party Room he is "physically unable” to fulfill his duties as a Senator.
“Regrettably, my recent treatment for cancer means that my health, although slowly improving, has left me physically unable to fulfill satisfactorily my duties as a Senator,” he said in a statement.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Mr Dodson, commending him for his commitment to “unfinished business” that he chose to serve Australia in the Senate.
A new Labor Senator for Western Australia will replace Pat Dodson early next year.
