After 17 years in Federal parliament, 13 years on the front bench and two months after leaving Cabinet, Western Australian Liberal Senator Ian Campbell today announced he would resign from the Senate to pursue a career in the private sector.
After 17 years in Federal parliament, 13 years on the front bench and two months after leaving Cabinet, Western Australian Liberal Senator Ian Campbell today announced he would resign from the Senate to pursue a career in the private sector.
Senator Campbell said he was currently having discussions regarding executive director roles, and would look for non-executive director roles upon his resignation.
Senator Campbell was forced to quit cabinet in March after it was revealed he had held a 20-minute meeting the previous year with disgraced former premier Brian Burke, though there was no indication the Senator had done anything improper.
Senator Campbell told reporters his two months on the backbenches had given him time to relect on the pressures parliamentary service places on families.
"It's a bit like being a frog in boiling water," he said.
"It's a phenomenally arduous job - and its particularly hard for people from Perth."
Senator Campbell said he would consult with Senator Nick Minchin, the leader of the Government in the Senate, and WA Liberal Party president Danielle Blain about the timing of his resignation, but said it would probably be within the month.
The Senator said he had thought long and hard about his decision, but made it despite the Prime Minister's offers for a front bench return.
"What they said publicly is what they said privately," he said.
"I thank them both for the opportunities they have provided me and I give them my very best wishes for the times ahead," Senator Campbell said.
"John and Peter lead a very successful government that I am sure will be re-elected later this year.
"It is a government of which I am very proud to have been a part."
While declining to nominate a sucessor for his term, which expires in 2011, Senator Campbell said he was sure the Liberal Party would provide "good, quality talent" to take his place.
The full text of an announcement from Senator Campbell's office is pasted below
After 17 years as a Senator for Western Australia, 13 of them on the front bench, I have decided to pursue a new career in the private sector, which will enable me to spend more time in Perth with my young family.
I entered politics with some very clear personal and policy ambitions and am proud to have achieved many things. I entered as a passionate supporter of what was then the unpopular policy of privatisation, of bringing free market principles and higher standards to environmental protection, of reducing red tape on business and of improving personal liberty by limiting the size of government and lowering taxes.
It has been an honour to serve the people of my home State of Western Australia in the Senate and the people of Australia as a legislator and a member of each of the Howard Ministries since our election in 1996.
It is a Government of which I am very proud to have been a part.
I leave Parliament with a deep sense of admiration for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. It was a privilege to serve alongside men and women from all walks of life who commit their lives to improving Australia.
Australia is a far better place than when I entered Parliament in 1990 and that is testament to the dedication and hard work of my colleagues who dedicate themselves to public service. It is a service I encourage others to consider.
My public service has only been made possible because of the quite extraordinary support of my wife Brenda, my family and a group of loyal close and cherished friends. I am deeply indebted to the thousands of volunteers who are members of the Liberal Party across WA who have supported me and endorsed me.
I am honoured to have served alongside our Prime Minister and Treasurer. I thank them both for the opportunities they provided me and I give them my very best wishes for the times ahead.
John and Peter lead a very successful Government that I am sure will be re-elected later this year.
