Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is not worried about the number of experienced Ministers announcing their retirement ahead of this year’s federal election.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has announced that he will not contest the next election. His announcement follows the news that Human Services Minister Michael Keenan will be also be retiring. Last week the Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer called time on her political career.
“Today I announce that I will not be re-contesting the upcoming federal election,” Scullion said in a statement.
“Tomorrow I will wake and continue to do all I can to serve Territorians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.” Scullion vowed stating that he would serve in his role until election day. The politicians from the Northern Territory, who is a member of the Country Liberal party, has been in the senate since 2010 and is the National’s leader in the senate.
Michael Keenan said he would be retiring from politics to spend more time with his young family. The father of four said he was confident that the Liberal party would retain his Perth seat of Stirling.
“I don’t think it’s particularly striking that there are several ministers deciding after Christmas, and at this time of the year with an election looming, that they can’t serve for the next three years,” Kennan told reporters in Perth on Saturday morning.
Keenan has been in politics for fifteen years and spent five years as Australia’s Justice Minister. While Keenan is confident the Liberals will retain his seat at the upcoming election, some election analysts have suggested it’s at risk of falling to Labor.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was not concerned about the multiple resignations telling reporters that people were signing up to be part of his team. This week Morrison recruited high profile candidate Warren Mundine to join the Liberal party and stand at the election.
On Labor’s side Senator Jacinta Collins has announced she will be retiring at the election.
OIP Staff
