Bill Shorten retirement: Politicians including Scott Morrison pay tribute to retiring Labor leader

Politicians from across the political divide are paying tribute to Bill Shorten after the ex-Labor leader called time on his 17-year political career.

Mr Shorten will quit Parliament in February before starting a new role as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra.

After shooting to national prominence as a union official during the Beaconsfield Mine disaster in 2006, he became Labor leader in 2013 and led the party to two election defeats in 2016 and 2019.

Former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison, who pulled off a shock victory over Mr Shorten at the 2019 election, paid tribute to his former adversary.

“Congratulations on your service to Australia and your party. There is life on the other side. It’s a precious time ahead for you, enjoy it together.” Mr Morrison said on X, formerly Twitter.

Deputy Prime Minister and fellow Victorian Richard Marles said his long-time friend and colleague had always been a “voice for the voiceless”.

“During his time in the union movement, particularly as the national leader of the Australian Workers’ Union, Bill represented workers’ rights in a manner which was characterised by a deep care for people,” Mr Marles said.

“His values of service translated to his leadership of the Australian Labor Party.

No one worked harder than Bill

“After the 2013 election loss, Bill led the ALP for six years and played a central role in rebuilding Labor’s stocks. His efforts were critical to our ultimate electoral success in 2022.”

Mr Shorten beat out now Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the Labor leadership in 2013, handing him responsibility for rebuilding the party after the Abbott-led Coalition’s thumping election win.

Standing alongside his old internal rival on Thursday morning, Mr Albanese praised Mr Shorten for turning the party into a “genuine alternative Government”.

“No one worked harder than Bill,” he said.

“No one brought more energy, enthusiasm, ideas and ambition to advocating for the need for a Labor Government. “

Former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott said Mr Shorten would be a “loss of our parliament”.

“He was a fierce opponent over the 2014 budget but always acted with integrity and, on national security, always put our country first,” Mr Abbott wrote on X.

More to come