Tag: Michael Keenan

The Indigenous affairs minister, Nigel Scullion, has announced that he will not recontest the next election, joining frontbenchers Michael Keenan and Kelly O’Dwyer in the list of high profile resignations from the Morrison government. In a statement, Scullion thanked Morrison and the deputy prime minister, Nationals leader Michael McCormack, for asking him to stay on as Indigenous affairs minister until the election was called. Kelly O'Dwyer quits politics in shock resignation before election Read more “It has been my privilege to have served as the minister for Indigenous affairs over the last five years,” he said. Her seat of Higgins in inner-city Melbourne covers an area that swung heavily to Labor in the November state election. “I have always worked hard as a member of parliament and as a minister, but after doing this for 15 years, I cannot commit to another term,” he said in a statement on Friday. “Whilst politics is a proud vocation, it is also difficult and exhausting business,” he said. “The pressures on family life are formidable, as are the constant rigours of being an effective member of parliament, as well as a minister in the government.” Keenan has previously held the justice and counter-terrorism portfolios. He insisted he remained “resolutely optimistic” about the Coalition’s prospects at the election. “Michael Keenan is a great mate, has made a wonderful contribution to public life both as a MP & a Minister, and most importantly is a terrific husband and father,” Defence Industry Minister Steven Ciobo said on Twitter. – Australian Associated Press contributed to this story