Australian deputy prime minister announces retirement

Warren Truss’ imminent resignation sparks leadership ballot for federal Nationals Party.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull reportedly asked Robb to reconsider his retirement after the premier was informed in December previous year, but Robb said he would just see out his post until the federal election which is purportedly to be held in “August or September”.

Current leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss will tell Nationals MPs of his retirement plans at a meeting at 12.15pm, before heading into parliament to inform the world 15 minutes later.

“I would encourage them to stay as long as possible”, Mr Sinodinos said.

Mr Robb has been regarded as an outstanding performer for the Coalition government signing Free Trade Agreements with China, Korea and Japan that have cut tariffs and opened farm export opportunities.

Widely acknowledged as a “steady hand” on the tiller of the junior Coalition partner, Mr Truss was expected to make the official announcement in Canberra, the ABC reported.

The main outstanding issue now to be dealt with before the reshuffle is the future of Human Services Minister Stuart Robert, whose conduct while in China on a private visit is being examined by the secretary of the prime minister’s department, Martin Parkinson, to determine whether it breached the ministerial code of conduct.

Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb announced on Wednesday that he too will leave politics at the next election.

Joyce, the deputy Nationals leader and agriculture minister, has long expressed an interest in succeeding Truss in the top job and is considered to have the numbers to win the contest.

Mr McCormack said he would be nominating for the deputy role if he is unsuccessful in the leadership. The party is expected to meet at 8pm Thursday to choose a replacement.

Truss, who has led the party since 2007, was poised to announce plans to resign from the ministry on 17 March but sources said his departure was now linked to the timing of Turnbull’s broader reshuffle.

“It’s only a matter of time before Malcolm Turnbull stands in his courtyard to tell Australians that good government starts today”, he said, referencing his predecessor Tony Abbott.

He briefly stepped down from the Opposition frontbench in 2009 to address a form of depression he had suffered since adolescence.