Scott Morrison has announced his retirement from his 16-year career in politics, nearly two years since his election loss as Prime Minister in 2022.
The former Prime Minister of Australia revealed he will be taking up several global strategic advisory positions and roles on private boards. His main area of focus will be on the US and the Indo-Pacific region.
Speculation on his retirement has been growing in the last eight months, with Australian media outlets first to break the story of his imminent departure today.
Morrison released a statement shortly after, saying he is looking forward to taking on “new challenges”, as well as spending more time with his family and his Church community.
“After having served in the parliament for more than sixteen years, including almost 4 years as Prime Minister during a very challenging time for our country, now is the time to move on and enable a new member to be elected who can bring fresh energy and a long term commitment to serving our local community in this role,” Morrison said.
“My family have sacrificed a great deal to support my service to our country and local community as a member of parliament, Minister and Prime Minister. I am grateful for their support, but the time has come for me to return to private life and support my family to pursue their goals and for us to spend more time together as a family.”
The legacy of Scomo
Scott Morrison has been the Liberal Member for Cook since 2007. He became a cabinet minister in 2013 as the immigration minister and held other portfolios in his time, including social services minister and the treasurer.
Four of his 16 years in politics were served as the Prime Minister of Australia, after he took over as leader of the Liberal party when Malcolm Turnbull resigned.
“It has been my great privilege to represent the wonderful people of Cook for more than sixteen years in our federal parliament,” he said. “The decision to leave is always a difficult one when you have been doing something you love and feel passionate about.”
Morrison’s retirement will trigger a by-election in the Division of Cook, the electorate that covers south of Sydney, including Cronulla, Gymea and Kogarah.
“I hope to see, and invite, a strong field of candidates to bring their experience, passion and dedication to our community, to the job,” Morrison said in his statement.
“I look forward to supporting that successful candidate in their local campaign, along with our Party Leader Peter Dutton and his deputy Sussan Ley who are doing a great job holding the Albanese Labor Government to account, and providing a clear alternative to lead Australia forward.”
Since 1969, the Cook electorate has only ever had one Labor MP representing its constituents in parliament – Ray Thorburn, who held the seat from 1972-1975. For the 52 other years, the Liberal party has held the seat.
In his statement, Morrison said he was proud of his achievements in government, including his role in the global pandemic “saving lives and livelihoods”.
“There will be time later to speak of these achievements and thank everyone involved, including my parliamentary colleagues, when I leave the parliament,” he said.
“Today, my priority is to express my deep gratitude to my community and my family for supporting me to do this job for as long as I have. It has been an honour.”
Morrison’s book
Earlier this month, the former Prime Minister announced the release date of his new book, Plans For Your Good: A Prime Minister’s Testimony of God’s Faithfulness.
Morrison is publishing his book with Thomas Nelson, a branch of Harper Collins Christian Publishing. The expected release date of the 288-page book is May 21, marking exactly two years since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defeated him in the 2022 Federal Election.
Morrison and his publisher have clarified the book will be less of a political memoir and more “pastoral encouragement”, reflecting on how God and his Christian faith has helped guide him throughout his 16-year political career and four-year leadership of Australia.
On the Thomas Nelson website, his publisher says the book will come at a time “where cancel culture, identity politics and deep secularisation is taking hold across so many western societies.”
Upon announcing the release date of his book, Morrison revealed who will be writing the foreword: former Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence.
Morrison and Pence are thought to have a strong relationship, developed during their time in office. According to reports from The Sydney Morning Herald, Morrison phoned Pence, not Trump, when the Trump administration failed to secure a second term in office at the 2020 US election.
Pence is also very open about his strong Christian faith. In 2022, Pence released his own faith-centred memoir, titled So Help Me God.
According to an article in Politico, Mike Pence often says: “I am a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order.”
The inclusion of Pence’s foreword is expected to assist the book in expanding its market interest globally, especially in the US.