Hockey a role model for ousted former high flyers

JOE Hockey is thriving in his role as Australian Ambassador to the US, and his choice to avoid raking over past slights shows a life well lived is the best revenge, writes Miranda Devine.

AT LEAST one ousted high-flying politician has “no regrets” about his vanquished career and is thriving in his new life: former Treasurer Joe Hockey, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States.

Smoothly orchestrating last week’s visit to Washington, DC, of his former foe, Malcolm Turnbull, and a high-powered business delegation, Hockey was in his element.

He smoothed the way with President Donald Trump, gladhanded VIPs, hosted cocktail parties at the Embassy and dinners at the grand 95-year-old ambassadorial residence, once the home of General George Patton.

Joe Hockey (right) walks the halls of power with Malcolm Turnbull and US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. (Pic: Nathan Edwards)

He loves his new career and has “no regrets at all about anything I did [in politics]. When I felt I would stop being a positive force and become a negative force, for me, it was time to leave. I’m so at peace with that decision. There’s not a minute I regret leaving. But I’m never going to become a commentator, just let [the government] get on with the job. If you can help, great, but don’t live in yesterday. Get on with tomorrow.”

Hockey is sympathetic to his former PM, Tony Abbott, who was squabbling with colleagues last week: “I totally understand where his head space is at. I get it. I took a different path. I wouldn’t deny him any feelings he has about events and nor would I deny the colleagues the right to do whatever they choose to do.”

As for Hockey’s next move, when his posting ends in 2020, he doesn’t rule out staying in the US, perhaps in business. Then it will be “time for the very private Joe Hockey.”

A life well lived is always the best revenge.

Tune in to Miranda Live tomorrow on the Daily Telegraph homepage at 4pm to hear more from Joe Hockey. We’ll take you inside the White House with Donald Trump, Malcolm Turnbull, Anthony Pratt, Kerry Stokes, and more.