Scullion denies retirement is due to uncertain future of Coalition

UPDATE >> NIGEL Scullion has denied he is retiring from his senate seat because the Coalition looks set to lose in the upcoming election

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion is seen at East Point in Darwin on Saturday, January 26, 2019. He has become the third minister to quit politics this week Picture: Keri Megelus

UPDATE

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has denied he is retiring from his senate seat because the Coalition looks set to lose in the upcoming election.

He is one of three sitting members to call it quits this week.

He said his reasons for ending his tenure was a desire to retire from public service and the realisation that he wouldn’t be able to finish a full term.

“There’s two reasons I’m leaving the first it’s time the second is I have a compact with the Territory people, I could go six months after the election a year possibly, but Territorians want to know if you’re going to stay for the full time and I’ve got to be honest,” he said.

“This is nothing to do with Scott Morrison I’ve just told you that this is about me it’s time and my personal compact with the Territory people.”

He believes the Coalition will be able to win the next election.

“I wouldn’t write the coalition government off, I tell you you’d be making a mistake,” he said.

“I believe they will be re-elected and I think it’s a sensible decision of the Australian people.”

Mr Scullion said once relieved of his duties he would stay in Darwin and partake in one of his past times — hunting.

“If I was a wild duck pig or a mud crab I’d start getting nervous that the only plan I’ve got. I’m eat more mud crab catch more barramundi shoot more wild pigs. I have no plan beyond that, I’m retiring.”

EARLIER

TERRITORY Senator Nigel Scullion has resigned.

The Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister made the shock announcement Saturday morning, and the NT News understands he will speak to the media later today to address questions.

“Today I announce that I will not be recontesting the upcoming Federal Election,” Mr Scullion said Saturday morning.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve the people of the Northern Territory for the last 17 years in the Australian Senate.

“I thank all Territorians for their support over this time. I have been proud to be a member of the Country Liberal Party — the only party that truly represents the real Territory.”

Mr Scullion said his path to public office wasn’t a conventional one.

“I was just an everyday fisherman and some time buffalo shooter and I raised my three beautiful children Sarah, Daniel and Luke on a fishing boat off the coast of Gove and North East Arnhem Land,” he said.

“John Howard famously said the Coalition is a very broad church and the fact that it has allowed a bloke like me to sit around its Cabinet table shows just why it continues to be the party hardworking Australian families keep putting their trust and faith in.”

Mr Scullion said he was grateful that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had welcomed him in every corner of this continent that I had visited, and worked with me in providing local and national solutions.

“Tomorrow, I will wake and continue to do all I can to serve Territorians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” he said.

“There is always much to do and I know that our team led by Scott Morrison and Michael McCormack is the only team that delivers for our nation.”