Health Minister Greg Hunt has received praise for his "brilliant mind" and for being "a worthy opponent" as he confirmed he will leave politics at the next election.
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Mr Hunt's announcement draws to a close a 20-year career in Parliament, an institution to which he paid tribute in an address to the House of Representatives on its final sitting day for 2021 on Thursday.
The Health Minister, whose stint in the portfolio coincided with COVID-19, said he believed the country was well-prepared for the future despite the pandemic.
"It's been a slightly busy term," he said, acknowledging public servants and government colleagues who coordinated the Commonwealth response to the coronavirus.
"To have in some small way stood beside them at the time that they have made the biggest of decisions, and to have hopefully helped, has been an immense privilege," Mr Hunt said.
The Victorian Liberal MP said he hoped a woman would replace him as the party's candidate for his seat of Flinders at the next election, due by May next year. The Liberals hold the electorate with a 5.6 per cent margin.
"I think it is time, subject to the will of the local branch members, for a strong brilliant woman to be the Liberal candidate for Flinders," Mr Hunt said.
Speculation grew in the last parliamentary sitting week that Mr Hunt would not recontest his seat at the next election.
His announcement on Thursday confirms one of the longest-serving Liberal MPs - who entered Parliament during the Howard era - will bow out.
Mr Hunt was Environment Minister in the Abbott government when in 2014 it dismantled the carbon price established previously under Labor.
He was also Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who later appointed him Health Minister.
Mr Hunt unsuccessfully ran for deputy Liberal party leader in Peter Dutton's failed leadership tilt in 2018.
He continued as Health Minister after Scott Morrison became prime minister, and was responsible for the Commonwealth health response to the pandemic after COVID struck in early 2020.
Mr Morrison said he had relied on Mr Hunt as the government dealt with the COVID crisis.
"I could have thought to have no more brilliant mind, no greater friend, no person of greater integrity, but most importantly, someone with a massive heart," the Prime Minister said of the Health Minister.
"It is one of the hardest portfolios to deal with."
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Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said Mr Hunt could be proud of his ministerial and parliamentary career.
"You're a worthy opponent as someone who has different values but understands as well that from your perspective you have stayed true to them," Mr Albanese said.
There has been speculation Mr Hunt could replace George Brandis as high commissioner in London when the former attorney-general's term expires at the end of April 2022.
Mr Hunt said he would spend more time with his family after being away from them during his parliamentary career.
"To paraphrase my favorite film The Princess Bride - we've all got our secrets - there's a country to protect, medicines to list, a budget to prepare, and an election to win," he said.
"But when all of that is done it will be time to come home."
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