Steven Ciobo of Gold Coast resigns from politics after 17 years

Once described as ‘ultimate political animal’ Gold Coast Federal Minister Steven Ciobo is quitting politics after 17 years, saying it has “not much” to do with last year’s messy leadership spill.

GOLD Coast Federal Minister Steven Ciobo is quitting politics after 17 years, saying it has “not much” to do with last year’s messy leadership spill and he’s eyeing the “commercial sphere”.

The 44-year-old — once described as the “ultimate political animal” by Surfers Paradise state MP and fellow LNP member John-Paul Langbroek — yesterday confirmed to the Bulletin he would not recontest his rock-solid seat of Moncrieff, which he first won in 2001 aged 27.

Mr Ciobo also tendered his resignation as Defence Industry Minister to Prime Minister Scott Morrison but aims to stay as a backbencher until the May election.

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Federal Member for Moncrieff, Steven Ciobo, talking to Gold Coast Bulletin journalists Andrews Potts and Ryan Keen, about his future in politics. Picture: Jerad Williams

In his first comments after mounting speculation he would follow ex-Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in standing down, he said: “After three years as a Cabinet minister, six years as a minister, 10 years as a frontbencher in Opposition and Government and 17 years as an MP, it’s time for me to move on to the next challenge.

“I’ve always said I’m not a time server. Politics for me has always been about being a means not an end. I have had the incredible privilege of serving in Cabinet and as a representative for the area, and I’m so grateful for having had that opportunity.”

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Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Steven Ciobo MP walking on Surfers Paradise Beach in 2004. PicMike/Batterham — politicians

In an exclusive Bulletin sit-down on the Gold Coast, where he plans to keep living with wife Astra and sons Asher, 10, and Tennyson, 6, Mr Ciobo said his decision was spurred by “no one factor”.

“I always had ambition to get into politics. I never thought it would be the only thing I would do and that would be it for my life,” he said.

He was a key figure in last year’s leadership spill of then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, having weighed in behind failed initial challenger Peter Dutton.

Asked how much that had to do with his decision to quit, Mr Ciobo said: “What happened last year was not much of a factor at all. I started thinking about all these things well before any of that.”

Newly elected member for Moncrieff Steven Ciobo with wife Astra at Broadbeach in 2001. PicAdam/Ward

He resigned as Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister during the upheaval that resulted in Mr Morrison’s elevation to Prime Minister.

Asked if losing his globetrotting Trade portfolio to become Defence Industry Minister had impacted his future outlook, he said: “Not much. I continued to serve in Cabinet, the defence industry space is so exciting.

“I had three years of 47 weeks travel a year — I was fatigued and ready for a change of pace.”

Asked if his decision to quit politics was about pre-empting being on the outer after the election, he said: “Absolutely not. I’m delighted to have an excellent working relationship with Scott Morrison, delighted to be in Cabinet. There are a whole bunch of assumptions in your question so no, that is not a factor at all.

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Stuart Robert, Assistant Treasurer, Karen Andrews, Industry Science and Technology, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Steven Ciobo, Minister for Defence Industry and Scott Buchholz-Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport at Government House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

“I’m immensely comfortable with this decision. I’m not a time server. I’ve always believed you get in, you roll your sleeves up, you make a difference and then you leave and that’s what politics should be about.”

Mr Ciobo said he had been mulling the decision for a year to 18 months and finalised it about Christmas/New Year before telling Mr Morrison two weeks ago.

“What was his reaction? Sorry to see me go but he understood you have to do the right thing by your family,” he said.

Mr Ciobo admitted he had no job lined up but would aim to enter the “commercial sphere”.

“I have that reputation which is why Malcolm and Scott put me in roles where I was the interface between government and business. It’s what I do well.

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“(But) I’m still in this role and will dedicate myself to it until the election.”

He planned to be in Indonesia on Monday for the signing of a free-trade pact between the two countries, saying Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita had personally requested him after Mr Ciobo was involved in the early stages.

Mr Ciobo said the past three years had been his career pinnacle with key roles advancing free trade with Indonesia, Hong Kong, the European Union, UK and Latin America, as well as presiding over “record tourism funding, record tourism numbers”.

But his career highlight came last year in helping announce $26 million in first-ever public funding into congenital heart condition research. His son Asher was born with a heart condition.

He had no plans to depart the Gold Coast.

“This is a city that has so much blue sky ahead. The challenges we face as a city are challenges of growth. They are good problems. I love raising my boys here and it’s a great part of the world,” he said.

“I’m feeling very energised and excited to see what comes next. I cannot overstate how grateful I am. The party membership trust me and the people of Moncrieff support me and had faith in me to represent them for nearly 18 years.”