Lindsay Tanner resigns from Cabinet
LINDSAY Tanner has formally resigned from Cabinet opening the way for him to start his post-politics career.
Federal Election 2010
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LINDSAY Tanner has formally resigned from Cabinet opening the way for him to start his post-politics career.
Even though the highly-regarded Mr Tanner did not contest the August 21 election and was replaced as the member for Melbourne by the Greens' Adam Bandt, he remained Finance Minister under caretaker provisions.
But the deadlock in Canberra has dragged on too long for Mr Tanner, who formally resigned on Friday afternoon from his $235,000-a-year Cabinet post.
Mr Tanner's decision not to contest the election was seen as a key factor that caused the Greens to have such a decisive win in the seat he had held since 1993.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard paid tribute to Mr Tanner describing him as a distinguished minister "playing a central role in maintaining a strong Australian economy through some of the most challenging circumstances we have faced in three quarters of a century''.
She said Labor owed him a debt of gratitude for his service and praised his integrity.
Ms Gillard said Treasurer Wayne Swan would be acting Finance Minister until a new government was formed.