Jane Garrett pulls out of Lord Mayor race — now what?

Brunswick MP Jane Garrett has announced she won’t be running for Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

The former Emergency Services Minister says she would have loved the job, but doesn’t want to trigger a by-election.

“A by-election in an election year would put too many good people under too much stress,” she told Neil Mitchell.

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Neil Mitchell asked Ms Garrett if the decision gave her “moral authority” in search of a seat at the next November election.

In response, the at-times divisive Labor MP said there was no seat.

“I’m not going to play those things together,” she said.

“I do have to work out what I’m going to do.”

She told Neil Mitchell a federal seat was among the options that had been mooted for her.

Transport Minister Jacinta Allan says Jane Garrett has made the right decision.

“She’s taken quite a bit of time to consider it, taken soundings and support from family and friends,” he said.

“But personally I think it is the right decision and it’ll be great to continue to serve in parliament with her.”