Former federal Labor leader Bill Shorten is retiring from politics to take up the role of vice-chancellor at the University of Canberra. The one-time union boss will begin his new role in February and will remain in cabinet until then. Shorten said on Thursday “my actions are my choice” and after six terms and 17 years in parliament he believed it was time to go.
Shorten, 57, who is minister for the NDIS and minister for government services, announced his career switch at a news conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Shorten entered parliament in 2007 after years as a trade union leader. He was a parliamentary secretary in the Rudd government and a minister in the Gillard and second Rudd governments. He led the Labor Party in opposition from 2013 to 2019. He ran then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull close at the 2016 election, and was expected to win in 2019 but was defeated by Scott Morrison in a surprise result.
As long-term rivals and from different factions, Albanese and Shorten have had a tense relationship at various times over the years.
Shorten told the news conference: “I have experienced some extraordinary political highs in the last 17 years. [And] let’s face it, some extraordinary political lows. There is not a single day in the last 17 years that I would hand back.”
Shorten said he had had a choice – to seek more parliamentary terms or “step into a new career while I am relatively young enough to make that choice, and can choose a career consistent with my ideals about ensuring that people can fulfil their potential”.
One of the originators of the NDIS, Shorten pledged he would use “every minute left in this job to secure the future” of the scheme.
A February resignation would not require a byelection – Shorten’s seat of Maribyrnong, in Melbourne, could remain vacant until the election, even if that is in May.
Shorten said the University of Canberra Council had approved his appointment on Wednesday afternoon. He said the university was “rated number one in the world for reducing inequalities”, where 40% of graduates of the first in family to obtain a degree. “That was my mother’s story so for me this is the fair go in action.”
Bill Shorten's Time in Parliament
Shorten’s time in parliament has been marked by both successes and setbacks. He rose to prominence during the Beaconsfield Mine disaster in 2006, where he was the de facto spokesperson for the community and the families of the miners who were trapped underground for two weeks. This experience helped him to gain national recognition and build his reputation as a compassionate and effective leader.
He later led the Labor Party to two federal election defeats in 2016 and 2019. Despite these losses, Shorten remained a popular and influential figure within the Labor Party. He was a vocal critic of the Coalition government's policies, particularly on issues such as the NDIS and the robodebt scheme.
Shorten's Legacy
Shorten’s legacy is likely to be debated for years to come. Some will remember him as a strong and effective leader who fought for the interests of ordinary Australians. Others will view him as a politician who was ultimately unable to win an election. But there is no doubt that Bill Shorten has left a lasting mark on Australian politics.
A New Chapter
Shorten's decision to retire from politics and take up the role of vice-chancellor at the University of Canberra is a significant one. It signals a new chapter in his life and a new opportunity for him to make a difference in the world. His experience in government and his commitment to social justice will be valuable assets to the university. It remains to be seen what impact he will have on the university, but his appointment is sure to be a significant one.
Shorten's departure from parliament is a reminder that the political landscape is constantly changing. New leaders emerge, old ones depart, and the battle for power continues. But one thing remains constant: the importance of public service and the need for politicians to work for the betterment of the country they represent.
