Liberal frontbencher Paul Fletcher has sensationally announced he will resign from politics ahead of the next federal election.
Mr Fletcher, who served as a communications minister under Scott Morrison, has represented the electorate of Bradfield, in Sydney’s leafy North Shore, since 2009.
The outgoing MP, whose resignation will put the Liberal party under pressure to retain control of his marginal seat, said representing Bradfield had been a privledge.
Mr Fletcher will reportedly move into the private sector after his time in Canberra.
‘Renewal is healthy, for people and institutions, and now is the right time to hand over the baton,’ he said in a statement on Tuesday.
‘I will continue to serve my constituents in Bradfield for the balance of this parliamentary term. I will also keep working for the election of a Dutton Liberal government.’
While Bradfield has long been considered a blue-ribbon seat for the Liberals, Mr Fletcher came close to losing it at the 2022 election.
There was a 12.3 per cent swing against him after teal candidate Nicolette Boele entered the race with the margin registered following the inclusion of preference votes.
Liberal frontbencher Paul Fletcher (pictured) has announced he will resign from politics
The current Manager of Opposition Business denied speculation he is stepping down over concerns he may not be able to retain his seat at the next election.
He said during an address to the Liberal Party Members of Bradfield he is confident the Coalition will retain the electorate at the election.
‘My decision is emphatically not due to any lack of confidence about our prospects of holding Bradfield,’ Mr Fletcher.
‘On the contrary, I believe we are very well-placed to not just hold Bradfield, but improve on our 2022 result.
Mr Fletcher was at the centre of a bombshell text message scandal that rocked the previous Liberal government led by former Prime Minister Scott Morrrison.
He was forced to deny that he leaked text messages that were exchanged with former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who was critical of Mr Morrison.
The texts, which described Mr Morrison as a ‘psycho’ and a ‘fraud’, were attributed to a former cabinet minister who served in the Morrison government.
When asked if he was responsible for leaking the messages, Mr Fletcher said ‘no’.
Mr Fletcher was at the centre of a bombshell text message scandal that rocked the previous Liberal Government led by former Prime Minister Scott Morrrison (pictured)
The Liberals now hold Bradfield on a margin of 4.2 per cent.
Ms Boele has launched a new campaign to win the seat at the federal election due by May next year.
Mr Fletcher previously won the seat at the last election after he registered 54.2 per cent of the votes.
‘While we will take nothing for granted in the campaign, the local mood is discernibly different from 2022,’ Mr Fletcher said.
‘I expect some outstanding people will put themselves forward to be the next Liberal candidate for Bradfield, and to serve the people of Bradfield with energy and commitment.’
Mr Fletcher was first elected to parliament following a by-election in 2009 sparked by the retirement of former opposition leader Brendan Nelson.
After Malcolm Turnbull become prime minister, Mr Fletcher was named minister for territories and local government and later urban infrastructure.
He was a prominent cabinet minister in Scott Morrison’s government, first as social services minister and later leading the communications portfolio.
With the impending retirement of Mr Fletcher the teals have a chance of potentially picking up another seat at the next election.
Former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson was previously the member for Bradfield.
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