A newly elected MP has revealed that he was diagnosed with an incurable disease on his first day in parliament.
Queensland LNP MP Darren Zanow, who won the traditional Labor seat of Ipswich West in a stunning victory at the March by-election, has indicated he will not seek re-election in the state general election in October after being told he has a debilitating neurological condition.
Mr Zanow, who has a seven-year-old daughter, said he was diagnosed with microvascular ischemic disease on April 16, the same day he was sworn in to parliament.
When Mr Zanow announced his condition and decision to resign on Friday, he had to hold back tears.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have to make this announcement to my community,” he said.
“It is not a decision I have taken lightly, but the reality is that I have no other choice.”
Mr Zanow said he loved the Ipswich area and had ‘fought hard for it’ all his life.
“Serving this great community as a Member of Parliament has been one of the greatest honours of my life, but because of this illness my time in public office and likely my life will be cut short,” he continued.
Queensland LNP MP Darren Zanow has announced a debilitating neurological condition will cut short his time in parliament and ‘likely cost him his life’
He said through tears that he and his doctors had tried to explore treatment options, but “I now have to face the reality of this diagnosis.”
“There is no proven treatment available to slow the debilitating effects of my condition and the prognosis is that I will have to focus my attention on my daughter Lola,” he said.
Microvascular ischemic disease often leads to early dementia due to the formation of plaque in the brain.
“If I see this in someone my age, there is a good chance that the symptoms will manifest themselves sooner. Medical tests have shown that this is also the case in my case,” Zanow said.
State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said Mr Zanow’s contribution to Ipswich would be lasting because he “just loves the place”.
“He went and stood up for (the community) when they didn’t get justice after the floods, he went and fought for them when they needed resources here at the showground,” Mr Crisafulli told the Courier post.
‘Wherever you look in Ipswich there is always someone who has a story about him. He just loves the place and that legacy should be celebrated.’
Mr Zanow indicated he had nominated potential LNP candidates to take his place, but he would not name names.
Mr Zanow took the traditionally safe Labor seat of Ipswich West in a stunning by-election in March
The south-east Queensland seat was taken by the LNP after a massive 15 percent swing from the Miles Labor government.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles paid tribute to Mr Zanow and the role he has played in his local community.
“In this job we may be on different sides, but we are all human, we all have families, so we wish him all the best,” Mr Miles said.
‘He is a true leader of the Ipswich community, sincere in the contribution he wants to make. Although that contribution may be somewhat shorter, it is certainly appreciated.’
