Federal Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer announces exit from politics

Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer has rocked the Liberal Party with a bombshell announcement from her Melbourne electorate this afternoon.

Federal Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer has announced she is quitting politics.

The Member for Higgins in Victoria made the announcement alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison in her Melbourne electorate earlier this afternoon.

“After much agonising, and with a heavy heart, I am announcing that I will not be recontesting for the seat of Higgins at the next election,” she said. “This decision has been made both harder and easier based on my great friendship with the Prime Minister.

“I need to be honest about the fact that I can’t commit to another three years and continue to deliver the quality of service that my country, party and community expect.”

She said the reasons are “complex” and “very personal”, adding that she has “no intention of causing a by-election”.

The shock move marks the departure of one of the Morrison government’s most senior women.

She noted her two children wll soon reach primary school age and she has missed too many moments in their upbringing. “I no longer want to consistently miss out on seeing my children when they wake up in the morning or go to bed at night,” she said.

She also said she and her husband want to have a third child, noting she is turning 42 and “everything needs to go right”.

Ms O’Dwyer thanked her community, Mr Morrison and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, the Liberal Party and her family for their support.

“There is no one I know who has worked harder or achieved more than Kelly O’Dwyer,” said Mr Morrison.

“I support her choice. I support all women’s choices. I want women to have more choices and all the independence that comes with that.”

Ms O’Dwyer has been in Parliament since 2009 and a cabinet minister since 2015, holding portfolio responsibilities for financial services, jobs, industrial relations and women.

The move comes just one day after Liberal senator David Bushy announced his resignation from politics after more than a decade.