The Hon. Bill Shorten MP Announces Retirement

On 5 September 2024, the Hon. Bill Shorten MP announced his plan to retire from Federal politics. 

Shorten will continue to serve as the member for Maribyrnong and as Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services until February 2025. 

He has then been appointed to take up a position as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. 

Bill Shorten was elected to the seat of Maribyrnong in 2007. 

Shorten was a member of the National Executive of the Australian Labor Party from 2004 to 2011 and served as the Victorian State President from 2005 to 2008. 

He served as the Federal Leader of the Opposition between 2013 and 2019, leading the Labor Party to the 2016 and 2019 elections. 

In the current term of Government, Minister Shorten established the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme; is transforming online service delivery; and is implementing reforms to the NDIS to ensure its viability into the future. 

While in Parliament, Shorten has held numerous ministerial roles, including serving as a Cabinet Minister in the Rudd, Gillard and Albanese Governments, these include: 

• Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services from 3.12.2007 to 14.9.2010. 

• Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction from 25.2.2009 to 14.9.2010. 

• Assistant Treasurer from 14.9.2010 to 14.12.2011. 

• Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation from 14.9.2010 to 1.7.2013 

• Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations from 14.12.2011 to 1.7.2013. 

• Minister for Education from 1.7.2013 to 18.9.2013. 

• Minister for Workplace Relations from 1.7.2013 to 18.9.2013. 

• Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme from 1.6.2022. 

• Minister for Government Services from 1.6.2022. 

As a federal election is due to be called by May 2025, a by-election for the seat of Maribyrnong is not expected. Whether a by-election will be required is ultimately a decision for the Speaker following Shorten’s resignation. 

Nominations for the seat of Maribyrnong close in September 2024. The decision as to whom will be Labor’s candidate in Maribyrnong at the next election will be made by the National Executive. 

Bill Shorten’s current electorate office will continue to serve constituents until the election is held. 

For more information, please contact Hawker Britton Directors Andy Gargett on 0427 552 908 or Simon Banks on 0419 638 587.