The long-serving Queensland Labor senator Jan McLucas has lost a preselection battle to contest the next federal election.

Senator McLucas announced the news in a statement, saying it had been a privilege to represent the people of Queensland.

“In particular, it has been an honour to have been able to work with residents and organisations across northern Queensland,” the statement said.

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“I thank the many ALP members and union members who have supported me over many years and look forward to continuing to work to promote Labor values in the policies we design and campaign on.”

Ms McLucas was first elected to the Senate in 1998 and served as the human services minister in the Gillard and then Rudd governments.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and deputy leader Tanya Plibersek issued a joint statement on Ms McLucas’ loss.

“After almost 18 years proudly serving the people of Queensland in the Australian Senate, Jan McLucas will not be contesting the next election,” the statement read.

Mr Shorten and Ms Plibersek said Ms McLucas had been an outstanding member of the Labor team and thanked her for her service.

“Senator McLucas has been a passionate and dedicated advocate of people with disabilities for more than a decade, including through her work on the establishment of the historic National Disability Insurance Scheme,” their statement said.

“The Federal Parliamentary Labor Party will forever be grateful for Senator McLucas’ service, and we sincerely thank her family for their contribution too.”

Ms McLucas said she had spoken to Mr Shorten, Ms Plibersek and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Penny Wong, and would continue in her role as Opposition spokeswoman for mental health and for housing and homelessness for the duration of her term.