Bill Shorten will retire from politics in February to become Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Photo: Region.
Cabinet Minister and former Labor leader Bill Shorten is leaving politics to take up the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra.
Standing next to Anthony Albanese in the Prime Minister’s Parliament House courtyard, the NDIS Minister announced he wouldn’t be seeking a seventh term as the Member for Maribyrnong.
But he will stay in office and on the government’s front bench until February next year.
Referred to as the architect of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mr Shorten said he was proud of what he had achieved in that area.
“Over 30 years ago, when I joined the Australian Workers Union, I was driven by the belief that everyone, regardless of circumstance, deserves an equal opportunity,” he said.
But he wasn’t lamenting the fact he lost two elections as Labor leader and never became prime minister.
“I don’t worry about what hasn’t been. I think I am really lucky. I have had the chance to help create, defend and improve the NDIS. I have had the very privileged position to lead Labor. I have had the chance to help the victims of Robodebt,” he said.
“Every day in this job — and I’m sure every Member of Parliament agrees — is a privileged day … Despite the ups and downs, there is not a single day I would hand back in the 17 years.”
Mr Albanese described Mr Shorten as his friend and a hard-working politician. He has asked Mr Shorten to stay in Cabinet until next year.
“Through his years as leader, no one worked harder than Bill,” the Prime Minister said.
“No one brought more energy, enthusiasm, ideas and ambition to advocating the need for a Labor government.”
Both men stated there was more work to do with the NDIS over the next few months, necessitating Mr Shorten’s continued presence in the portfolio.
But the PM made it clear that February was the beginning of the academic year and shouldn’t be viewed as a hint about when the next federal election will be called.
“The election is due by next May,” Mr Albanese said.
“There is some precedent for there being a gap for a short period of time. Minister Shorten will continue to serve until February.”
There is no indication of who Mr Shorten’s replacement might be.
The Minister was most pleased with reforms to the NDIS he got passed through parliament last month, saying they had given the scheme a “bright horizon”.
“What we did three weeks ago in the parliament has meant that we will be able to set this on a direction where the scheme will be true to its original purpose, where frauds are evicted and we will start focusing on outcomes for people,” Mr Shorten said.
UC Chancellor Lisa Paul heralded the announcement and welcomed Mr Shorten as the incoming Vice-Chancellor.
“He exemplifies the values of offering opportunity to all and reducing inequalities,” Ms Paul said in a statement.
“His advocacy for people with disability and for all who need support sits perfectly with a university that hopes to be the most accessible in Australia.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, at a separate media appearance, described Mr Shorten as a “decent person” whose time as Labor leader came to a “disappointing” end.
“He was a leader of the opposition, a job nobody in their right mind wants, including me,” Mr Dutton said.
“Everyone wants to get out of this job as quickly as they’re able to.
“He recovered well and he showed a level of dignity and respect to our democratic process that he should be honoured for.”
Mr Shorten was pivotal in the removal of Kevin Rudd as prime minister in 2010 and then in returning Mr Rudd to office when Julia Gillard was subsequently ousted in 2013.
He was notoriously one of the “faceless men” of the Labor Party.
But when asked that in his press conference on Thursday, Mr Shorten quoted Frank Sinatra.
“Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do but much more than this, I did it my way.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Riotact.
