Ex-Federal MP Tim Wilson claims he cried in a ‘foetal position’ after losing seat to Teals

Ex-MPs feel “damaged” and cash-strapped after leaving politics, with a landmark study revealing some also struggle to find work again.

Former MPs have reported struggling with mental health issues and unemployment after leaving politics. Picture: Mark Stewart

Many former Victorian MPs feel financially strained, psychologically distressed and emotionally “damaged” after leaving politics, a landmark new report has revealed.

Deakin University researchers have found many MPs – especially those from The Greens – struggle with underemployment, serious mental health issues or relationship breakdowns in the years after they exit parliament.

The research, which was published in late June, was jointly commissioned by the Parliament of Victoria and cost taxpayers $60,000.

The stereotype of former MPs being ‘parachuted’ into high-profile, well-paid jobs was found to be a “myth”, with only 20 per cent of MPs landing a lucrative role post-politics.

One former minister, who wished to remain anonymous, described how they were discriminated against when applying for new jobs.

“The very first recruiter I went to said to me: ‘You are absolutely the perfect fit, but I’m not going to waste your time and put you forward … because you weren’t a backbencher, you were a minister’, they said. ‘That makes you poison’.”

Former Federal MP Tim Wilson said he cried in the ‘foetal position’ the morning after he lost his seat. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Another former MP told researchers they were “still devastated” two years after unexpectedly losing their seat at the 2018 election.

“I’ve not been able to move on … I feel damaged,” they said.

“You feel as though your arms have been chopped off,” another added.

While not a Victorian MP, federal MP Tim Wilson said he cried in a “foetal position” the Sunday morning after he lost the seat of Goldstein to teal independent Zoe Daniel.

Deakin University’s research claims to be “most substantial study of the transition to life after parliament conducted anywhere in the world”, with 93 former MPs surveyed.

Around 100 MPs have left Victorian politics since 2002.

Lead author Amy Nethery said around 45 per cent of them were booted from parliament without warning.

“MPs who leave parliament unexpectedly can feel a deep grief response, in the sense that they have irretrievably lost their identity, sense of purpose and status,” Dr Nethery said.

“They can encounter incredible difficulties finding work, including discrimination on the basis of their previous career.”

While only a few former Greens MPs were surveyed, they reported “comparatively high levels of transition stress”, especially when compared with former Nationals MPs who “experienced lower levels of stress”.

The pension scheme, which secured MPs lifelong annual payments of more than $84,000 if they served two terms, was closed to new MPs in 2004.

Those not eligible for the pension can get a one-off separation payment of up to six months of the basic salary to “support them as they transition from working as an MP”.

Andrea Coote from the Victorian Parliamentary Former Members’ Association (VPFMA) – who also commissioned the research – said she was overcome by the “raw emotion, anger, distress and depression” of those who had left parliament unexpectedly at the 2018 election.

The recommendations in the report include the implementation of a “parliamentary career support program” and ongoing psychological counselling.

“The difficulties MPs face in their life post-parliament create a disincentive for our best and brightest to choose a career in politics,” Dr Nethery added.