The chance to kick a ball with his kids outranked a shot at the Labor leadership for Ryan Park.
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In an occasionally teary announcement the Keira MP ruled himself out of the running for the job of state Labor leader, citing the impact it would have on his family.
"This role would require me to do a significant amount of travel, a significant amount of time away from home, and with a four-year-old and a nine-year-old who still want their dad around, now is simply not the time for me," Mr Park said.
"They already find it difficult with dad away so much. I know that won't always be the case. Very soon I'm sure my nine-year-old will not want dad around much more, but at the moment he does. And my four-year-old obviously needs his parents around.
"For that reason and that reason alone, I've made the decision after speaking with my family that I won't be running."
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Mr Park's announcement was an echo of Tanya Plibersek's decision on Monday not to contest the federal leadership, instead opting putting her family first.
On social media some pointed out that it was only female politicians who put family ahead of ambition.
It's claim Mr Park said was "absolutely ridiculous".
"I play, like so many other dads, a very, very active role in my children's childhood and their their upbringing," he said.
"I make no apologies for putting two little boys and their welfare and their development first. They mean the world to me.
"As much as I love this job, there are two little boys who don't care about their dad as an MP, don't care about their dad as a shadow treasurer, and don't care about the guy they see sometimes on TV.
"They care about the guys who kicks the ball with them on the street. They care about the guy who goes for a ride with them and that's my focus."
Mr Park refuted media reports he was in a "syndicate" with fellow MPs Jodi McKay and Kate Washington, where one of them would decide to run.
"I'm not going to talk about who's in, who's out, who may run," he said.
"Whoever it is they've got make a decision whether they run or not."