Former prime minister Scott Morrison will resign from Parliament at the end of February, ending months of speculation about his political future.
The Cook MP confirmed his plan to retire in comments to The Australian, saying it was “time to move on” and elect a new local member: “It has been my great privilege to represent the wonderful people of Cook for more than 16 years in our federal Parliament. The decision to leave is always a difficult one when you have been doing something you love and feel passionate about. However, I believe the timing is now right to move on to a new season with my family and take on fresh challenges.”
Morrison hinted at his next job. He told the newspaper he looked forward to “new challenges” in global strategic advisory roles and private boards. He said he would draw from a network established through his work with the AUKUS defence pact and the QUAD alliance, as well as spend more time with his family. He also has a book coming out, a religious and political memoir titled Plans For Your Good.
Political insiders had expected the former Liberal leader to resign for months; speculation began shortly after his 2022 election loss to Labor.
Morrison entered cabinet as immigration minister in 2013, was promoted to social services minister the following year, and became treasurer in 2015. He defeated current Liberal leader Peter Dutton and Julie Bishop for the leadership of the federal Liberal Party in August 2018, taking over as prime minister after the ousting of Malcolm Turnbull.
He went on to win the 2019 election in a surprise victory, leading Australia through the Black Summer bushfires (when he was criticised for taking a holiday in Hawaii) and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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