Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham will retire from federal politics at the next election.
The opposition foreign affairs spokesman and leader of the coalition in the Senate said he will take a “new, commercially oriented direction” and ruled out lobbying, government relations or comment.
Referring to an old Persian proverb, the South Australian said: “now is the time for my parliamentary service too to pass”.
'Kind enough to be disappointed'
“Some will be kind enough to be disappointed to see me go… but for some, I am sorry, especially those who feel I am letting them or the team down at this time.
“It's always better to go when there are people who want you to stay, and none of us are irreplaceable. This is the right time for me, for my family and for new career opportunities.”
Birmingham entered parliament in 2007 and has served as trade, finance and education ministers in coalition governments under Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison.
The leader of the liberal moderate faction is respected throughout parliament and, with seventeen years of experience, is seen as a loss for the party.
In a farewell speech in the Senate on Thursday, the 50-year-old backed the former Morrison government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He took aim at China's “abuse of power” when it imposed $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions on Australian products.
He dismissed the “perceptions” of some in parliament that it was a universally toxic workplace.
“While we should never tolerate the kind of behavior that led to the Jenkins report, the experiences of the whole should not be universally smeared,” he said.
Birmingham said little was gained from culture wars that threatened social cohesion in a country like Australia.
“The rise of the global rise of populism and divisive tribalism, fueled by ideological extremes, concerns me,” he said.
Birmingham thanked his wife and children and fought back tears as his family watched from the public gallery.
“Those of you who have the honor to remain in this place bear a great responsibility.
'I wish you the best, do the right thing, make a positive difference. Thank you and goodbye.'
Reactions to Simon Birmingham's resignation
Birmingham received a standing ovation after his speech and Foreign Minister Penny Wong leaned over to shake his hand.
Penny Wong and Simon Birmingham in the Senate on Thursday. Source: MONKEY / Mick Tsikas
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton thanked Birmingham at the end of Question Time.
“Birmo has a young family and I know he is looking forward to spending more time with them, and he has given so much to our country,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Birmingham has “very broad respect across Parliament, and he certainly has my personal respect”.
“He is a person of integrity, who is easy to deal with and gets things done.
“So for Simon and Courtney and their family it is understandable that he has made this decision, but I wish him all the best.”
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