Liberal senator David Bushby quits politics

Senator David Bushby has been unveiled in a prized overseas role before he has formally resigned from parliament.

Senator David Bushby will quit politics at the next election.

Outgoing Liberal senator David Bushby has been unveiled as the next Consul-General in Chicago before he has formally resigned from parliament.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Senator Bushby would replace Michael Wood in the role of facilitating links between Australia and the US Midwest.

“The Consulate-General in Chicago also engages leaders in government, education, culture and the media; and provides consular and passport services to Australians who live in and visit Chicago and the Midwest,” Senator Bushby said.

The announcement came just over an hour after the Tasmanian senator announced he would leave politics. He will formally resign on Monday.

Senator Bushby, the chief government whip in the Senate, said he would tender his resignation to Senate President Scott Ryan on Monday. He was elected to the Senate in August 2007.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Tasmania in the Australian Senate for over eleven years,” Senator Bushby said in a statement.

“I look forward to commencing a new chapter in my professional career, following a short break with my family.”

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, the government’s Senate leader, said Senator Bushby made a “fine contribution” to the parliament.

“David has made his key contribution as part of the Coalition’s Senate whips team over the past ten years, including four and a half years as the chief government whip in the Senate, Senator Cormann said.

“As a Senate minister managing key legislation through a Senate in which the government does not have a majority, it was always reassuring to know that with David we had a highly professional and competent chief government whip managing all of the necessary logistics for us in the chamber.”

Senior Tasmanian Liberal Eric Abetz said Senator Bushby had been a “phenomenal advocate” for the Apple Isle.

“Since entering the parliament in 2007, David has not only been a strong and effective contributor to the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team but has also been a champion of all things Tasmanian,” Senator Abetz said.

“In the Senate, he is renowned for his work in the Treasury and Finance portfolios where he has been a standout contributor towards economic policy over the last 11 years, including through his long service on the Senate economics committee.

“His long service as the elected Senate whip, and as the chief Senate whip since 2014, speaks volumes for the regard in which all of my Liberal and National Senate colleagues hold him.

“David can reflect fondly on an incredible period of service to our nation and he will be sorely missed.”