Why senator Patrick Dodson has quit: Top Voice advocate and ‘father of Indigenous reconciliation’ resigns Parliament amid health battle – and his strange last day at work

Senator Patrick Dodson, long known as the ‘father of reconciliation’, has retired from politics.

Mr Dodson has represented Western Australia in the Senate since 2016, but has been known for his tireless campaigning for Indigenous rights for decades.

On Tuesday, Mr Dodson informed Labor of his decision to resign, effective January 26, 2024, Australia Day next year.

Mr Dodson has been battling cancer and said that despite seeing ‘slow improvements’, his recent treatment has left him ‘physically unable to perform my duties satisfactorily’.

He expressed special thanks to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his work on reconciliation through the Voice to Parliament referendum, which Australia voted against overwhelmingly 60-40.

“I thank Prime Minister Albanese for his support and for appointing me as Special Envoy for Reconciliation and Implementation of the Uluru Declaration from the Heart,” he said.

“I also express my deep appreciation for his decision to go ahead with the recent referendum.”

Mr Albanese later thanked Mr Dodson for his service and continued friendship.

“It has been my great good fortune to count Senator Dodson as a colleague, and my abiding good fortune to count him as a friend,” he said.

“I have benefited from his wise counsel time and time again, and he has taught me so much over the years.

“Patrick is such a generous man. For seven years, he has given each member of our Caucus his wisdom, his courage, his fearless conviction, and his undying good humor.

“Through the powerful example of his own life, he gave so many of us the gift of a greater sense of perspective.

“There are few things more reassuring in Parliament House than seeing Patrick walking down the hall towards you with his hat on.”

Mr Albanese later thanked Mr Dodson for his service and continued friendship