Former Labor leader Bill Shorten announces retirement from politics

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten will quit politics for a top university position, ending a rollercoaster 17-year career in Federal Parliament that came within an inch of the prime ministership.

Mr Shorten will remain in Cabinet until February, when he will leave Parliament to become the University of Canberra vice-chancellor.

Mr Shorten is set to earn more than $1 million-per-year in his new role — if his deal matches the salary of the university’s most recent vice-chancellor.

“I have experienced some extraordinary political highs in the last 17 years and let’s face it, some extraordinary political lows,” Mr Shorten said at a press conference alongside Prime Minister and long-time internal rival Anthony Albanese.

“But there is not a single day in the last 17 years that I would hand back.”

The announcement will put an end to any speculation the 57-year-old might consider mounting a challenge for the Labor leadership.

Political figures from across the party divide paid tribute to Mr Shorten’s contribution as his old union praised its former leader as a “lion of the Australian labour movement”.

The then-Australian Workers’ Union boss first shot to national prominence as one of the public faces of the Beaconsfield mine collapse in 2006.

Elected to Federal Parliament a year later, Mr Shorten was among the influential backroom figures — dubbed the “faceless men” — who orchestrated the knifing of prime ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd.

Asked to reflect on his role in those events, Mr Shorten on Thursday said: “I did what I had to do but much more than this — I did it my way”.

Mr Shorten beat Mr Albanese to win the Labor leadership in 2013, putting him in charge of rebuilding the party after its disastrous election defeat.

After seeing off Liberal prime ministers Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, Mr Shorten was odds-on favourite to lead Labor back to power before his shock defeat to Scott Morrison at the 2019 election.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Shorten said he was proud of the “ambitious” agenda he took to the 2019 election, which included changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax and franking credits.

But he accepted the public wasn’t “ready” for them.

“The verdict came in, I accepted that,” Mr Shorten said.

“But I am proud that we put our propositions forward.

“Labor is at its best when we know what we stand for and we will fight for things.”

After vacating the leadership following the 2019 loss, Mr Shorten served in the NDIS portfolio — a disability scheme he helped design as a junior minister in the Gillard Government.

His exit will leave a major hole for the Government as it battles to fix the troubled scheme.

Mr Albanese asked Mr Shorten to remain in cabinet until next February to continue the work.

After last month passing laws to contain costs, the Federal Government faces a new battle with the states and territories over eligibility criteria and the design of a new system of “foundational supports” for disabled people outside the NDIS.

“I’m absolutely positive about the bright horizon for the NDIS,” he said.

Mr Albanese said Mr Shorten’s legacy would be defined by his support for working people, people with disabilities and his years-long fight for justice for the victims of the illegal Robodebt scheme.

“They have that social justice thread through them in the finest traditions of the Labor movement,” Mr Albanese said.

Speculation about Mr Shorten’s future has bubbled away for months with rumours the Melbourne-based MP was in line to become Australia’s next ambassador to France.

Mr Shorten denied those rumours and appeared set to contest the next election after deciding not to join fellow ministers Brendan O’Connor and Linda Burney in announcing their retirements in July.

He insisted it was his decision to pull the pin and he wasn’t pushed.

Mr Shorten said he was excited about the shift to education, which he “described as the modern means of taking someone from disadvantage to advantage”.

The appointment has raised some eyebrows given University of Canberra chancellor Lisa Paul was hand-picked by Mr Shorten to co-chair his landmark NDIS review.

A university spokeswoman confirmed Ms Paul alerted the selection panel to her previous work with Mr Shorten.

“There was a rigorous merit-based process overseen by an expert panel of seven members, including an external and independent panellist, who unanimously recommended Mr Shorten as vice-chancellor,” the spokeswoman said.

Deputy Prime Minister and fellow Victorian Richard Marles said his long-time friend and colleague had always been a “voice for the voiceless”.

Mr Morrison paid tribute to his former adversary.

“Congratulations on your service to Australia and your party. There is life on the other side. It’s a precious time ahead for you, enjoy it together.” Mr Morrison said on X.

AWU Victoria secretary Ronnie Hayden said through his different roles Mr Shorten’s “mission” was always to build a fairer, more inclusive Australia.

“He leaves as a lion of the Australian labour movement,” he said.