Kelly O’Dwyer’s quits politics, reveals emotional reason behind exit, denies Liberal Party has a women problem

Senior Liberal Kelly O’Dwyer has said she’ll never return to parliament as she revealed the emotional reason behind her political exit that’s sent shockwaves through the government.

Exclusive: A miscarriage in Parliament House was one of the resounding moments which led to Kelly O’Dwyer quitting politics yesterday.

The senior liberal who sits in cabinet as Minister for Industrial Relations and Jobs and Minister for Women announced she would not recontest her inner-Melbourne electorate of Higgins in a move that has sent shockwaves through the party.

OPINION: Kelly O’Dwyer’s exit is a catastrophe for the PM

MORE: Kelly O’Dwyer quits politics

Jon Mant holding daughter Olivia (left) and wife Kelly O'Dwyer holding son Edward. O'Dwyer told News Corp exclusively she had to undergo IVF to conceive Olivia and Edward. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Ms O’Dwyer, 41, spoke exclusively to News Corp and for the first time revealed she had to undergo IVF to conceive children Olivia, 3.5, and Edward, 20-months and would need to use the treatment again to conceive a third child, which she and her husband Jon, 43, hoped for.

She also revealed the heartache of having to endure a miscarriage while in Parliament House away from the support of Jon and while working at the highest levels of government.

“I never ever want that to happen again,” she told News Corp while fighting back tears.

“I am so thankful to have Edward and Olivia and I don’t want to be greedy. If it doesn’t happen then I do see that as it is meant to be. But I don’t want to have a regret about that.”

Ms O’Dwyer announced her move to quit politics alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Malvern in inner Melbourne, minutes from her electorate office.

Scott Morrison praised Ms O’Dwyer as a “great woman” who had done a lot for the Australian public. Picture: Supplied. Picture: AAP Image/Ellen Smith

She said she would not recontest her seat, held by a margin of 10.2 per cent, but would campaign for the Liberal Party at the election and retain her ministerial duties for the rest of this term of parliament.

The announcement was held tightly, with only her closest staff being told an hour prior to the announcement.

“There will be some that no doubt try to use my announcement to advance their own agendas and I do not want that,” she said.

Ms O’Dwyer told News Corp it was only over the Christmas break when her daughter Olivia interrupted a family ballet show several times pretending to be busy on the phone and not able to be there that she realised things needed to change.

“That was a real mirror moment for me,” she said.

“Their childhood is so short and I want to be there for them.”

Ms O'Dwyer said she wouldn’t return to politics in the future. Picture: Kym Smith

She also dismissed any speculation that this was due to the Liberal Party having a women problem or that the next election wasn’t winnable for the government.

“I’ve made this decision for personal reasons that relate to me and my family and that’s just the truth. I know that all sorts of people that try and look at it in different ways but I can only tell you what’s for me

“This does not mean that men or women do need to choose between family or public service but we need to realise that it may not be right at every point,” Ms O’Dwyer said.

Ms O’Dwyer also said funding of her campaign was also not a factor.

“I basically help to self fund this seat.”

O’Dwyer with her family. She said telling the Prime Minister about her plans was the hardest conversation of her life. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Ms O’Dwyer said she visited the Prime Minister on Tuesday in Sydney after returning from holidays on Monday.

“I went to see him in his office and I said to him ‘this is the hardest conversation I’ve ever had to have in my life’,” she said.

“He didn’t try to talk me out of it, he was incredibly supportive ... we had a good hug.”

She said she was looking forward to some time off with her family after the May election and considering her next moves.

A return to politics in any capacity - state, federal or internal - was off the table completely.

“No I’ve spent 10 years doing this and I have loved it but I won’t return to politics.”

Former Liberal MP Julia Banks (second from left) quit to join the crossbench last year. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison yesterday praised Ms O’Dwyer as a “great woman” who had done a lot for the Australian public.

He said all parliamentarians and women needed to be supported in the decisions they made for their family.

Ms O’Dwyer, a prodigy of former treasurer Peter Costello, has served in the inner-Melbourne seat of Higgins since 2009 when she won a by-election after Peter Costello’s retirement.

Yesterday’s move by the former lawyer and finance industry professional comes after a tumultuous 2018 for the Liberal party, which saw a leadership change and allegations of bullying and intimidation particularly of females within the party.

It also follows the resignation of fellow Liberal MP and Victorian Julia Banks who in November moved to the cross bench.

Originally published as Kelly O’Dwyer’s quits politics, reveals emotional reason behind exit, denies Liberal Party has a women problem