Veteran MP Philip Ruddock announces his retirement from Federal Parliament, appointed Special Envoy for Human Rights
UPDATE: Philip Ruddock, the longest serving MP in Australia's lower house has announced he will not stand for re-election.
"I am humbled to have received such strong support for my involvement in federal politics for over 42 years," he said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop earlier announced Mr Ruddock would be appointed Australia's Special Envoy for Human Rights.
Mr Ruddock said the role would complement his 'long term engagement' with human rights issues.
"The role will, of necessity, require periods of travel abroad from now until the next election," his statement read.
"In order for me to devote myself fully to this task I cannot be active in a national political campaign and give effective time to my own re-election."
Mr Ruddock's office earlier refused to confirm or deny reports his resignation would be announced today.
Mr Ruddock, 72, holds the safe Liberal seat of Berowra in Sydney’s north. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1973.
Along with former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop, Mr Ruddock has been the subject of a concerted campaign demanding he step aside to make way for young blood ahead of Liberal preselections and this year’s election.
There had been speculation that Mr Ruddock could be appointed as a judge or to a diplomatic position, as was the case with former Treasurer Joe Hockey.
Known to many in Canberra as ‘the Father of the House’, Mr Ruddock is best known for his stints as Immigration Minister and Attorney General in John Howard’s Liberal Government. He also served as Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
Most recently he has acted as the Liberal Party's Chief Whip until February last year. He currently serves as Special Envoy for Citizenship and Community Engagement.
During his time as Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affiars, Mr Ruddock earned the respect of his Liberal supporters and the enmity of the left wing and human rights groups for his ‘Pacific Solution’ on asylum seekers, which, among other policies, saw the introduction of Temporary Protection Visas.
Controversy over that policy continues today.
Mr Ruddock was also involved deeply in the contentious 'children overboard affair' during his time in Cabinet.
As Attorney General from 2003, Mr Ruddock was responsible for changes to the Marriage Act designed to shore it up as heterosexual institution. He was also in charge of strengthening Australia’s terrorism laws in the years shortly after the September 11 attacks and in the early years of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
He also presided over much of the David Hicks fiasco that plagued the Howard Government for several years.
Mr Ruddock is the only sitting MP remaining from the Whitlam Era of Australian politics.
