Former Australian PM Scott Morrison to Exit Politics for the Private Sector

Australia’s former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has announced his departure from politics to venture into the private sector after a storied political career. Morrison, who led the country from 2018 to 2022, cited the need to return to private life and explore strategic advisory roles in Asia, focusing on security matters in the Indo-Pacific.

The 55-year-old, known for overseeing Australia’s pandemic response and fostering international alliances like Aukus, disclosed his plans to engage in strategic advisory positions. Morrison expressed his eagerness to play a more active role in his church and spend quality time with his family.

Morrison’s exit from politics was widely anticipated after the Liberal-National coalition suffered a significant election defeat in 2022, marking its lowest number of seats. A key factor in this defeat was Australia’s perceived climate laggard status, contributing to the decline in Morrison’s political standing.

His initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, involving border closures and lockdowns, received acclaim for containing early outbreaks. However, a delayed vaccine rollout drew subsequent criticism.

Morrison’s tenure was marked by strained relations with China, Australia’s largest trading partner, stemming from calls for a global investigation into the origins of COVID. Despite diplomatic freezes and trade disputes, he shifted focus to regional security alliances, establishing the Quad partnership and signing the Aukus nuclear submarine deal.

His leadership faced challenges, including public backlash for holidaying during the 2019–2020 bushfires and criticism for his response to sexual misconduct allegations in parliament. The 2022 election loss led Morrison to the opposition backbench, where he became the first former prime minister censured by parliament for granting himself secret powers during the pandemic. Although deemed legal, this move marked a significant point in Morrison’s political career.

Scott Morrison’s national prominence began in 2013 when he was appointed immigration minister, overseeing Operation Sovereign Borders. His trajectory included roles as social services minister and treasurer, culminating in his succeeding Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal Party leader and prime minister.

Morrison’s unexpected 2019 election victory, characterised by his relatable image as an everyday family man dubbed “ScoMo,” defied polls and ended a decade of political leadership challenges. Despite ups and downs, he achieved the unique feat of serving a full term, reminiscent of John Howard in 2007.