Bill Shorten has announced his retirement after a nearly two-decade career in politics.
He has served as the Member for the Victorian seat of Maribyrnong since 2007 and became leader of the Labor Party after Kevin Rudd retired in 2013.
Before being elected to Parliament, he led the Australian Workers’ Union.
As opposition leader, Shorten led the Labor Party to a narrow defeat at the 2016 election, but suffered an unexpected defeat in 2019 when voters rejected his repeated plan to abolish negative gearing for future investment property purchases. Former Liberal Party prime minister Scott Morrison called his surprise victory a “miracle”.
After this loss, he announced his resignation as leader. Anthony Albanese was elected without any opposition to succeed him.
Following Labor’s victory at the 2022 election, Shorten was appointed Minister for Public Services and National Disability Insurance.
Although Shorten and Albanese were not political allies, they did work together successfully.
Shorten said he has stood up for the underdogs throughout his career.
‘I honestly consider myself one of the luckiest people in politics. I have been the Member for Maribyrnong, it is a community that I love so much. I have been privileged to serve in portfolios that are dear to me.’
He paid tribute to his wife Chloe Shorten and his children.
Albanese praised Shorten as a great leader of the Labor Party despite the two election defeats.
Anthony Albanese is expected to announce Bill Shorten’s retirement at a press conference today at 11am
