Madeleine West ‘drops out of NSW State Parliament race as she ends her budding political career’

Madeleine West is reportedly saying goodbye to her fledgling political career, almost a year after announcing her intention to seek a seat in the New South Wales State Parliament.

Daily Mail Australia has exclusively obtained a yet-to-be-published statement written by the 42-year-old Neighbors star, explaining that he will be shifting his focus to a new podcast on pedophiles.

In the leaked statement, he describes how he has spent the past year meeting with members of the Ballina community with a plan to run for the New South Wales Parliament.

“These last few months have shown me that parliament is not the best platform to make changes at the moment,” he explained, before adding that he will no longer contest the Ballina seat.

‘My passion has not diminished, nor has my commitment to my community. This was a difficult decision to make, driven by personal matters that currently require my full attention,” he continued.

“As a mother of six young children, Parliament House is not the best place for me at this stage in my family’s life.”

The former Neighbors star is apparently shifting her focus to her new podcast, Predatory, which is all about exposing pedophiles and sexual predators.

The actress said her time could be better spent ‘in our community’ rather than ‘weeks in Sydney’.

‘I remain an advocate and an ally. I am still committed to equality and opportunity; my focus continues to be raising awareness about domestic violence and being a committed environmentalist.’

Madeleine added that she is now focused on her new podcast Predatory, which is about exposing pedophiles and sexual predators.

“As a mother of six young children, Parliament House is not the best place for me at this stage in my family’s life,” she explained in the leaked statement.

She co-hosts Predatory with former police detective Gary Jubelin.

Last April, the star appeared on Channel 10’s The Project to discuss his intentions to pursue a political career.

‘I think politics is for the people and it’s about being the voice of the people. You don’t need a qualification to be a parliamentarian,” he said at the time.

Last April, the star appeared on Channel 10’s The Project (pictured) to discuss his intentions to pursue a political career.

“Obtensibly, you just need responsibility, you have to care about your community, and you have to be willing to make people feel safe.”

The Byron Bay resident said she was inspired to take action after taking part in flood cleanup on the north coast of New South Wales.

‘Where I live, I’m running for Ballina’s seat. We have been hit by floods and wildfires and the pandemic brought my community to its knees,” she continued.

“I care about sustainability and the future and opportunities, and I care about responsibility and being accountable for your actions, and I care about my community flourishing and feeling safe,” the star added.

“I’m lucky to have a national platform, yes, but I think that makes me uniquely qualified to draw attention to local issues because what we’ve realistically been through is a microcosm that the rest of Australia can expect to experience.”

Madeleine co-hosts Predatory with former police detective Gary Jubelin. In the photo together