Labor MP Julie Owens will retire from federal politics at the next election after 18 years representing the Sydney seat of Parramatta.
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Ms Owens won election to the lower house in 2004, defeating Liberal MP Ross Cameron, and has since maintained a stranglehold on the marginal electorate.
She told parliament she wanted a ballot of rank-and-file branch members to decide Labor's Parramatta candidate for the next election.
Politicians from across the chamber stood and applauded Ms Owens after she announced her decision.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese paid tribute to her legacy.
"There is no member of the caucus who has knocked on my door about the needs of their electorate more than Julie Owens," he said.
Australian Associated Press
