On the same day he was sworn into the state’s parliament in April, new Queensland MP Darren Zanow was diagnosed with an incurable brain disease. Now, just three months after the devastating news, Zanow has announced the condition has cut short his political career “and likely my life”. The recently elected Liberal National Party MP said on Friday he would not contest October’s state poll, instead focusing on his family, including seven-year-old daughter.
“However, I have now had to face the realities of this diagnosis — and it means my time as an MP must end in October. “Serving this amazing community as an MP is one of the greatest honours of my life but, because of this disease, my time in public office, and likely my life, will be cut short.” Zanow officially told his constituents west of Brisbane “with a heavy heart” on Friday.