Labor MLA Paul Kirby has announced his resignation from politics

A Northern Territory MLA has used social media to announce his retirement from politics. Read why he’s gone.

Port Darwin MLA Paul Kirby has announced his retirement from Northern Territory politics.

Kirby, 57 took to social media Thursday morning to announce he had decided not to run in August’s Territory election.

His resignation will not take effect until an election is called and there will not be a byelection.

Deputy Opposition leader Gerard Maley thanked Mr Kirby for his contribution and accused the government of being “focused on themselves”.

“Three resignations in the last 37 days, or one every 12 days, who’s next to jump ship from this Territory Labor Government,” Mr Maley said.

“This shows that the Eva Lawler and Chansey Paech Labor government are irreparably tearing themselves apart. While this failing Government are focused on themselves, the CLP is ready and has a plan for a safe, strong Territory.”

A former Power and Water linesman, Kirby moved to Darwin in 1997 and eventually took up an organiser’s position with the Electrical Trades Union before winning pre-selection for Labor to contest the Port Darwin electorate at the 2016 NT election.

Despite Labor requiring a 10 per cent swing to wrestle the seat off the Country Liberal Party, Kirby engineered a 12.5 per cent swing to comfortably take the electorate.

He consolidated the seat at the 2020 election and was rewarded with the small business, jobs and training, corporate and digital development, public employment, veterans affairs and recreational fishing portfolios.

In November, Kirby was dumped from his portfolio responsibilities by former chief minister Natasha Fyles, prompting speculation he would quit parliament and move interstate.

He is understood to have been spending an increasing amount of time in the southern states since losing ministerial responsibilities.

In his Facebook post, Kirby spruiked his political record.

“In my time, I have advocated for and championed a large range of projects to better activate and revitalise Darwin CBD, Waterfront, Cullen Bay, and Larrakeyah,” he wrote.

“There are so many highlights that I am proud to have been a part of.

“These include assisting in bringing the Darwin Street Art Festival, Laneway Series, Laksa Festival and other key festivals and events, working with property and business owners and the City of Darwin to prioritise beautification projects making our city more attractive, and investment in the new CDU Campus development.

“Being a minister for almost five years, during Covid times and beyond, was a massive challenge. People that understand the complexities in the range of portfolios that I held will understand why I’m extremely proud of the many major achievements in these areas.”

Mr Kirby said politics “is not a forever job”, and the time was right for new challenges.

He is expected to soon become a grandfather.

“To the Port Darwin community, thank you for the honour. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Cheers, Kirbs,” he said.

His boss, Chief Minister Eva Lawler, paid tribute to her retiring colleague.

“Paul has been a teammate of mine since we were both elected in 2016,” Ms Lawler said. “Through his work with the federal government we a got a National Skills Agreement which will skill Territorians for the jobs of the future.

“Paul Kirby has led the areas of small business, skills and training, major events, veterans, agriculture, fisheries and data, for our government with strong results. Kirby has always had a focus on making the electorate of Port Darwin an area of opportunity, along with revitalising the CBD and bringing street art to life.

“He was also a part of getting the Cullen Bay redevelopment locked in and complete.”

Lauren Moss, who was also dumped from cabinet in the November reshuffle, is expected to recontest the Casuarina electorate for Labor.