Australian Labor Party (ALP) member of Parliament Joel Fitzgibbon confirmed on Monday that he would not seek re-election for the New South Wales (NSW) seat of Hunter at the next federal election. Fitzgibbon entered the House of Representatives in 1996 when the Liberal Party’s John Howard was elected prime minister and has held his electorate for 25 years. He took over from his father, Eric Fitzgibbon, who served as the Hunter MP from 1984 to 1996. “It’s a difficult decision, but I’m comfortable with that. I will not be a candidate at the next federal election,” Fitzgibbon told Seven’s Sunrise. “I depart very happy and satisfied. I’m very proud of my work over the course of the last 25 years locally, nationally, and internationally. “I’m very confident now that Labor can win the next election under the leadership of Anthony Albanese.” Fitzgibbon, who has previously taken a very pro-coal stance, warned …