Former prime minister Scott Morrison set to quit politics at end of February

Scott Morrison’s exit will trigger a by-election in the southern Sydney seat of Cook. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has announced he will retire from politics at the end of February, ending a 16-year career in federal parliament, including four served as prime minister.

Mr Morrison had initially indicated an intention to stay on in federal politics after the Coalition’s May 2022 election defeat, sitting on the backbench.

The decision will trigger a by-election in the southern Sydney seat of Cook, a notionally very safe Liberal seat.

The ABC has also been told two people who could run as Liberal candidates in the Cook by-election are Carmelo Pesce, the current mayor of Sutherland Shire, and Simon Kennedy, the Liberal candidate for Bennelong in 2022.

Mr Morrison took to Facebook to formally announce his exit from politics, thanking his local community, family and friends.

“Just letting you know (especially everyone locally) that after more than 16 years as the Member for Cook, I have decided to leave parliament at the end of February to take on new challenges in the global corporate sector and spend more time with my family,” he said.

“I am extremely grateful to my family, friends, local community and local party members and supporters in Cook for their incredible support during this time, that has enabled me to serve my country at the highest level and make Australia a stronger, more secure and more prosperous country. It has been a great honour to serve as the Member for Cook and as Prime Minister.”

Mr Morrison thanked his staff and parliamentary colleagues, for their “friendship and support”.

“Especially my Deputy Leader Josh Frydenberg and Deputy PMs Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce,” he wrote.

The former prime minister wished Opposition Leader Peter Dutton “all the very best” and congratulated him on the “great job he has done leading our Party and the Coalition since the last election”.

“By giving advance notice of my intention to leave parliament at the end of February, this will give my Party ample time to select a great new candidate who I know will do what’s best for our community and bring fresh energy and commitment to the job.”

Sources have also told the ABC that Mr Morrison will take up a job based in the United States.

Mr Dutton issued a statement reflecting Mr Morrison’s political career.

“In the time he led our country, Scott presided over some of the most difficult challenges an Australian Prime Minister has known since the Second World War; most notably COVID-19,” the current party leader said.

“I want to thank Scott Morrison for his service to our nation, for his dedication to the Liberal Party, and for his personal friendship.”

The Morrison years

Mr Morrison was first elected to federal parliament in November 2007 after winning pre-selection for the seat of Cook.

Before his political career, Mr Morrison worked in tourism and marketing, working for both Tourism Australia and the New Zealand Office of Tourism and Sport.

Mr Morrison held the immigration portfolio for more than five years, in opposition and under former prime minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Morrison served as social services minister in 2014 and 2015, after which he became the treasurer.

Mr Morrison rose to the party leadership in a tumultuous 2018 spill brought on after Mr Dutton began to challenge then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull for the top job.

The Black Summer bushfires would arguably prove one of the most politically difficult periods in the top job. His decision to holiday in Hawaii during an ongoing disaster left a lasting cloud over his tenure.

In 2022, it was revealed the former prime minister secretly took on joint responsibility for the health, finance, home affairs, industry, and treasury during the height of the pandemic.

Mr Morrison also came under fire during the Robodebt royal commission for his role in the unlawful scheme.

In his evidence to the commission in 2023, he said at no point had anyone advised ministers that the scheme was unlawful.

Mr Morrison ended his Facebook post by acknowledging his community, church and favourite NRL team.

“I now look forward to continue to enjoying local life here in the Shire and my church community at Horizon with my family and friends, and as always #upupcronulla,” he said.