Scott Morrison to bid farewell to Federal Parliament in final act of 16-year career in Canberra
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison will bid farewell to Federal Parliament this week as he embarks on a post-politics career alongside two former Trump administration figures.
Mr Morrison confirmed that he would deliver his valedictory speech to parliament on Tuesday, the final act in a rollercoaster 16-year career in Canberra.
The now backbench MP ended long-running speculation about his future in late January, announcing he would quit politics for the private sector.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Morrison will link up with two prominent figures from Donald Trump’s presidency — former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and ex-national security advisor Robert O’Brien.
The 55-year-old will work alongside Mr Pompeo at venture capital firm DYNE and serve as a non-executive vice chairman at Mr O’Brien’s American Global Strategies, where he is already listed on the company’s website.
First elected in 2007 in the NSW seat of Cook, Mr Morrison was a cabinet minister under Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull before seizing the nation’s top job amid the chaos of Peter Dutton’s failed coup in 2018.
He led the Coalition to a “miracle” election win in 2019 and will be remembered for leading Australia through the COVID-19 pandemic and engineering the AUKUS deal to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
But the polarising figure will also be known for the scandals that plagued his prime ministership, including the ill-fated holiday to Hawaii during the Black Summer fires, slow vaccine rollout and illegal Robodebt scheme.
His unpopularity and perceived inaction on climate, integrity in politics and the treatment of women inspired the wave of teal independents who helped end the Coalition’s nine years in power at the 2022 election.
Mr Morrison’s departure will trigger a byelection in Cook.
A field of five candidates have reportedly nominated for the Liberal preselection contest, scheduled for March 4.
A date for the byelection hasn’t been set.
