One of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s most senior ministers, Mathias Cormann, is retiring from politics at the end of the year.
Cormann said in a statement that he had advised Morrison that the end of 2020 would be an “appropriate time” for an orderly transition” of his portfolio.
Senator Cormann has been finance minister since 2013 and has worked under three Liberal prime ministers.
“Before handing over the baton, there is another six months or so of hard work to be done in this job, to help manage a responsible transition out of this coronavirus induced crisis and to help finalise and set in train our five-year plan to maximise the strength of our economic and jobs recovery.”
Senator Cormann, 49, entered federal politics in 2007 and became the government’s upper house leader in 2017.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Senator Cormann has been a “tower of strength” for the government.
“As Aust’s longest serving Finance Minister, he’s strengthen our economy, preparing for the challenges we now face,” Frydenberg tweeted.
Senior Labor front bencher Tony Burke wished Senator Cormann well.
“He’s been a very significant figure in Australian politics, he’s been true to his values,” Burke told Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program.
“In negotiations, to my knowledge, he’s been someone who has been an honest broker.”
Senator Cormann thanked Morrison and his predecessors Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull “for the opportunities they have given me to serve.”
“Having the opportunity to help shape the future direction of our country as part of a great team working to make our country even stronger, more prosperous and more resilient is a great honour,” he said.
“I love this job. Every single day I am giving it my all. I can honestly say that I have left nothing on the field.”
“Making this decision has been made easier by the knowledge that the government of our country is in very good hands,” he said.
“Our Prime Minister leads a team that is stronger, more focused and more united than ever.”
Senator Cormann said he would spend the next six months working with the prime minister and Frydenberg on finalising the July economic statement, the budget in October and the half-yearly budget update in December.
He would also continue to work to secure the passage of “all of our important reform legislation through the parliament.”
The budget is usually delivered in May, but has been delayed until October because of the coronavirus.
The government will also give an economic update on July 23 when the future of JobKeeper wage subsidies, the boosted dole and other support measures will be revealed.
Senator Cormann was born in Belgium and decided to migrate to Australia permanently after first visiting Perth in 1994, attracted by the great lifestyle and opportunities on offer in Western Australia.
He is married to Hayley and they have two daughters Isabelle and Charlotte.
There has been speculation he could take a job with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or other positions in his home town of Perth.
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