MEMBER for Bass Jordan Crugnale MP has announced this afternoon that she will not be re-contesting the seat of Bass during next year’s election. The announcement comes as Member for Pakenham Emma Vulin announced she would not be recontesting her seat either earlier in the week.
Ms Crugnale released the following statement this afternoon:
Serving, working for and walking beside the people of Bass has been more than a privilege – it is an experience that has shaped me profoundly and in ways I will carry with each step forward forever.
Representing our wonderful, growing, and proud community has been a journey imbued with highs and lows, fierce advocacy and hard-won outcomes, treasured friendships and beautiful connections.
I love what I do, and what I will continue to do. After much reflection however, I have decided that I will not re-contest the seat of Bass at the 2026 state election.
To the extraordinary people and organisations across our electorate – from schools and kinders to health services, sporting clubs, arts and cultural organisations, neighbourhood houses, local businesses, emergency services, community and environmental groups – thank you for welcoming me into your spaces, sharing your aspirations, innovations and challenges, and working with fierce determination to make our community stronger, fairer and more connected.
You are the sustained sparks of positive change that have enabled so much to be delivered: new and upgraded schools, expanded hospitals, road reconfiguring and duplications, new sporting pavilions, oval lights, nets and courts, boat ramps galore, inter-town trails, community hubs, more gigs in pubs, early parenting centres, new and upgraded emergency services brigades, units and stations, more social housing and support for vulnerable people, improved planning outcomes and protections for our beautiful environment.
There is always more to do – I know our community’s energy and drive will continue, and I am so proud of what we have been able to achieve together and the ways that we have changed the world around us in so many wonderful and enduring ways.
To my amazing electorate office team – compassionate, professional and relentlessly dedicated – you have always put the people of Bass first. Your work has touched thousands of lives and your kindness and smarts have lifted me daily.
To my local branch, thank you for your tireless support, motivation, wisdom and care – on the doors, at the booths, shaping policy, and standing side by side through every campaign and every challenge. I am grateful beyond measure for the friendships we’ve built and our shared belief in the Labor movement’s capacity to change lives for the better.
To my parliamentary colleagues and in particular to Premier Jacinta Allan, thank you for your leadership, encouragement and commitment to building a stronger and fairer Victoria. And to former Premier Daniel Andrews, thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute, and for your leadership and support throughout my time in parliament.
To the people of Bass, right across the electorate, past and present – from Pakenham and Clyde North through to our coastal villages, Pearcedale and Devon Meadows, Koo Wee Rup and surrounds over to the Bass Coast - thank you for trusting me with this extraordinary responsibility. Serving you as your local member has been an honour and a joy.
And to my beautiful, funny, kind, wise and curious kids, thank you for being you and for the hugs and love along the way – your school journey from start to finish aligns with my decision and I can’t wait to delve into new adventures and to continue to cherish every moment along the way.
It has been a privilege to contribute to this community – first in local government, and then through two terms in the Victorian Parliament, and I will give everything I have between now and November next year.
There is still a lot on our Bass ‘to do and must-have’ lists, and so for now at least, the work goes on.
Thank you.
