‘Amazing privilege’: Bill Shorten announces retirement from Parliament

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten announced he would not seek a seventh term in parliament during a media conference on Thursday. Mr Shorten said he is excited to announce he has been chosen to be the Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra. “I’ve decided not to seek a seventh term in parliament, over 30 years ago when I joined the Australian workers union, I was driven by the belief that everyone regardless of circumstance deserves an equal opportunity,” Mr Shorten said. “I genuinely consider myself to be one of the luckiest people in politics, I’ve been the member for Maribyrnong … I’ve had the privilege to serve in portfolios that I care about … for nearly six years I had the very amazing privilege of serving as leader of our party and the movement which has been such an irreplaceable part of my life. “Labor, we never stopped trying, whether it was defending Medicare, re-election on climate, marriage equality … these were hard fights, all worth having. “This is always when Labor is at its best, when we are the party of ambition and compassion when we use the power of politics to stand up for those who were denied power by the circumstances of their birth or the shafts of fate. “I’ve experienced some extraordinary political highs … but there is not a single day in the last 17 years that I would hand back, because every day, I know how lucky I have been to have the privilege to serve the Australian people. “I’m excited to say that from February of next year, I’ve been chosen to be the Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra. “I am thankful to be leaving parliament while there are still some people who want me to stay.”