Former prime minister Scott Morrison is set to retire from politics after nearly two decades.
In a lengthy social media post, the former PM said after more than 16 years as the member for Cook, he has decided to leave parliament at the end of February.
Morrison added he has decided to leave in order to “take on new challenges in the global corporate sector and spend more time with my family”.
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“I am extremely grateful to my family, friends, local community and local party members and supporters in Cook for their incredible support during this time, that has enabled me to serve my country at the highest level and make Australia a stronger, more secure and more prosperous country,” he posted to Instagram.
“It has been a great honour to serve as the member for Cook and as prime minister.”
Morrison said he was looking forward to spending his spare time in the Shire and with his church community at Horizon.
He served as Australia’s 30th prime minister from 2018 until May 2022, when his Liberal government lost the federal election, and later moved to the backbench.
His resignation is set to trigger a by-election in the southern Sydney electorate of Cook.
“By giving advance notice of my intention to leave parliament at the end of February, this will give my party ample time to select a great new candidate who I know will do what’s best for our community and bring fresh energy and commitment to the job,” Morrison said.
Morrison’s term, and the period shortly thereafter, has been plagued with controversy.
He drew criticism from the public during the 2019 Black Summer bushfires, when he flew to Hawaii on a holiday as large swathes of the nation burned.
He will also be remembered as the prime minister who led the country through the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
– With AAP
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