Topics: Thank you and farewell.
08:35AM AEDT
29 November 2024
David Penberthy: Well, it was a political bombshell that absolutely nobody saw coming. Simon Birmingham, who for many years has been a Liberal senator for South Australia, he served at the highest levels under Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison, Tony Abbott. Suddenly announced yesterday afternoon that he was quitting politics halfway through his six-year Senate term. In the first interview that he’s done with the media since making his announcement yesterday and his valedictory speech, we have the man who everybody affectionately knows as Birmo on the line. Birmo, we did not see this coming, mate. What was the thing that made you suddenly decide to chuck it in?
Simon Birmingham: Hey, guys, it was good to be with you. Look, it was just the right time for me, my family, my career. And yes, I have a new opportunity that I’m going to do. And like people, you know, in the end, you choose to go to take on a new job. And in my case, it will be something that is in the commercial sector with a bit of an outlook for the Asia Pacific, using some of those trade and finance skills that I had in government, but not lobbying or any of those dark arts. So I’m really looking forward to doing something different. Hopefully still contributing to SA and the country but in different ways.
Will Goodings: Someone put it to me that maybe everyone is overthinking. You retiring. You spend half your life travelling back and forth to Canberra. You know, your two kids, their whole lives have been spent you doing it. And maybe this is just a lifestyle and family decision. How close is that to the mark?
Simon Birmingham: You know, there’s a fair bit of that. Look, I don’t go for the old cliches of I’m retiring to spend more time with my family. You know, people do that and credit for it. I’m going to take on a new, busy commercial corporate life. I hope to spend more time with my family as a result of it. And, it will be a different life. And certainly the phone will probably ring less often on weekends and those intrusions that kind of in politics occur in all aspects of your life. And I hope next time I go to the showdown, I won’t be being heckled by, you know, somebody on the way out or those things. Or if it is, it is just for the colour of the scarf I’m wearing rather than the politics I represent. But you know, so but yeah, overwhelmingly, it’s been a hell of a ride. A positive experience. I like to think I’ve made some big contributions in school funding and trade deals and help to steer us through some momentous things like AUKUS partnership and of course, the Covid pandemic. So, I look back with great pride and hope that people can think there was something of a positive contribution.
David Penberthy: Birmo. What would you say to people who look at your departure halfway through your six year term, on the cusp of an election, and think this does not look like a vote of confidence in either Peter Dutton’s chances of victory, or your moderate faction’s chances of regaining the seven middle class seats that were lost to the teals.
Simon Birmingham: Penbo, I’d emphasise, firstly, the conversation we just had that it is very much a personal call about what’s best for my future and my family. And you know, it’s not a reflection on how the chances of the election, in fact, this decision has only gotten harder and harder and harder as it’s gotten closer, because the polls are tightening and have tightened. And I think Peter can win. And there’s a chance that I am walking away from being Australia’s next foreign minister. And if that’s not an easy thing to do, and I’ll have some regrets if it turns out that’s what I have done. But I think Australians, they are feeling those cost of living pressures that are real. And the government, is seen as a disappointment by many Australians. And Peter is going to offer a very strong and clear choice at the next election. You know, nobody can accuse somebody who’s offering up, a zero emissions nuclear energy pathway to the future as being a small target. People are going to get a real fair dinkum choice next time around.
Will Goodings: Would you ever consider state politics in your future?
Simon Birmingham: No, mate, I think I am firmly done. I will continue to help my colleagues as best I can, and that certainly includes Dutts. You know, he and I are good friends and he has been- so when I went to him a month ago and said, this is coming up. I was dreading the conversation for the reasons and the questions that Penbo has just asked me. But, yeah, because I know the perceptions don’t look good, and the last thing I wanted was to create that problem for him. But he couldn’t have been more decent, more understanding. And, you know, said, mate, you know, go well, you know, go do great other things and spend more time with your family. And, um, you know, he will have my full support and the state team, I hope they look at the solid leadership he’s taken on things like staring down people who want to pursue distractions like abortion reform. And Peter Dutton, looked at that and said, don’t be a bunch of idiots and quashed it recently, I’ve been showing courage on the policies that matter. How do we get reliable and cheaper energy and have the strongest possible economy and national security? They’re the things that matter.
David Penberthy: So who do we get on the show now, though? Birmo, when all hell breaks loose and things are clearly falling apart and going to hell in a handbasket to tell us that everything’s absolutely fine?
Simon Birmingham: Who will front up as the mop and bucket spokesman to try to clean up the mess?
David Penberthy: You’ve mastered the art of that.
Simon Birmingham: There’s a mop and bucket I’m happy to hand on. I’m not sure who’s stepping up for it, though.
David Penberthy: Well, we wish you all the best. And we’ve enjoyed the many chats that we’ve had with you over the years. You’ve always made yourself available. In fact, we said yesterday, I think was the first time you weren’t available. And we can now understand why Simon Birmingham, who at the next election will be the outgoing Liberal senator for South Australia.
Simon Birmingham: Thanks, guys. It’s been a blast. Thanks for all the opportunities. Cheers.
[ENDS]