Liberal frontbencher Jonno Duniam has announced he will resign from politics before the end of the year, dealing another significant blow to the struggling Coalition as it faces historically low approval ratings.
The Tasmanian senator, elected in 2016 and regarded as one of the Liberals' most promising figures, described the decision as "extremely difficult" but one he had been contemplating for "quite some time" to prioritize family time.
"Where we're at in the polls is irrelevant," the 43-year-old said on Sunday. "It wouldn't matter whether we were on the precipice of a landslide win or the doldrums of electoral defeat, I would be making the same decision I am today."
Leadership Spill Catalyst
Duniam, who serves as the opposition's home affairs spokesperson, said he had informed Opposition Leader Angus Taylor of his decision. Taylor requested that Duniam complete the Coalition's immigration policy work before departing.
Taylor described Duniam's retirement as a "great loss" for the Liberals, calling him "intelligent, articulate and always across his brief."
Duniam's departure follows that of fellow Tasmanian Liberal senator Wendy Askew, who also announced she would leave the upper house after being appointed in 2019 to fill a casual vacancy.
Duniam said the party's leadership change earlier this year was an "exhausting" and "difficult" process that accelerated his decision to retire.
"When the leadership change came along, it started to really wear on me. It was less about direction and more about my personal energy levels, and to that end, that is why I made that decision," he said.
Family First
Duniam acknowledged feeling as if he was "letting down the team" but emphasized he had given 25 years to the party and needed to prioritize his family.
"I am leaving the field of battle and leaving them on it, which is not a good feeling, but at the end of the day one has to make a choice," he said. "I've got three boys, I've got a family that I need to ensure have me around as well, and that's why I made this decision."
Newly elected federal Liberal president Tony Abbott expressed disappointment but acknowledged the challenges of public life. He stressed the need for the opposition to deploy "every hand on deck right now to save Australia from a terrible government and keep us our best selves."
"I hope his replacement is drawn from a very strong field of proven achievers seeking to serve our country and advance the ideals of the Liberal party," Abbott said.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told Sky News on Sunday that Duniam was one of the opposition's "best and brightest."
Coalition Challenges
Duniam's announcement comes at a difficult time for the Coalition. Recent polling from Redbridge Group/Accent Research, published in the Australian Financial Review in May, showed One Nation's primary vote surpassing both Labor and the Coalition for the first time.
Earlier this week, conservative Liberal shadow minister Tony Pasin suggested the party and One Nation should "work hand-in-glove to defeat Labor" by avoiding contesting the same seats. This proposal was quickly dismissed by Taylor, and Liberal senator James Paterson criticized it as "premature."
Duniam dismissed talks of deals with One Nation two years before a federal election as "not relevant." He stated, "Because if we're just going to wave the white flag and say that it's over now [and] we've just got to do deals with others to get across the line, then we're not doing our job properly."
