RARELY do politicians anywhere receive much, if any, genuine fanfare or praise after announcing their retirements.
But for outgoing Federal Liberal MP and Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb, nobody will begrudge his moment or two in the spotlight.
It was no strange coincidence or accident that after the shock news of Mr Robb’s intention to retire at the next federal election leaked to national media yesterday, two separate glowing statements of praise carried an almost identical message toasting his lasting legacy.
The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said “Andrew Robb has been the most successful Trade Minister in our country’s history”.
A few moments before, National Farmers Federation (NFF) President Brent Finlay said “Andrew Robb has been outstanding and the best Trade Minister this country has ever had”.
Mr Finlay said the proof of the no-nonsense Victorian MP’s performance was evidenced in the trade agreements he’d signed for the Coalition government with China, Japan, Korea and the 11 other countries in the Trans Pacific Partnership.
But with a trade deal with India still on the boil – which can also extract significant benefits for Australian farmers by cutting long-standing tariff barriers – the NFF President is now contemplating life without Andrew Robb.
Mr Finlay said here was still a lot more work to do in the area of trade and subsequent negotiations.
The message of course to the government and Mr Robb is, ‘Please don’t go’ or at least not now.
Ever modest and deliberately deflecting praise towards his political team-mates, Mr Robb said after 12 fulfilling and eventful years, “I feel the time is right”.
“At 64 and in excellent health I plan to move on to my next career which will be in some capacity in the private sector,” he said.
“I will leave politics in the comfort of knowing that both the Turnbull government and the Coalition are in great shape.
“It’s an opportune time to hand over the baton to the talented next generation in our party.
“I would like to thank my family for their understanding and support over the past 12 years, in particular my wife of 42 years Maureen, my three children, their respective partners and my beloved parents.
“Finally, to all those loyal and talented staff who have served me during my time in politics, a most heart-felt thanks.”
One of Mr Robb’s greatest strengths has been the genuine life experience he gained through a range of disciplines before entering politics.
That background and training in the real-world has given him a practical edge to policy and political decision-making of a kind that seems to be diminishing rapidly from modern politics.
According to his biography, Mr Robb gained qualifications in Agricultural Science and a first class Honours Degree in Economics before – in the 1970’s – working as an animal health officer and then an agricultural economist.
In the 1980’s he was Executive Director of the Cattle Council of Australia and then the NFF’s Executive Director from 1985 to 1988, serving under President Ian McLachlan.
From 1990 to 1997 he was the Liberal Party’s Federal Director and Campaign Director and just before entering politics, worked for Kerry and James Packer, fine-tuning his commercial skills, while advising major companies around Australia and overseas.
In 2003, Mr Robb was awarded the Office of the Order of Australia for his service to agriculture, politics and the community.
After his efforts breaking down barriers into export markets for Australian agriculture, the NFF may well nominate the Liberal MP for a knighthood or even ask that he be given the one that Tony Abbott awarded to Prince Philip.
During his 12-years in parliament, Mr Robb has held numerous posts including; Chair of the government’s Workplace Relations Taskforce; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; and Minister for Vocational and Further Education
In Opposition, he was Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Climate Change and Shadow Minister for Finance, Deregulation and Debt Reduction.
Today, Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce praised Mr Robb during a speech in the House of Representatives on upcoming changes to the dairy industry levy.
Mr Joyce acknowledged what most rural people would agree to; that the retiring politician was someone who came from the land, went on to work for Australian agriculture at the highest level but never forgot his roots, especially to the dairy industry.
“I’m absolutely certain that the Minister in his time has maintained incredible interest, for which the dairy industry is one of the greatest benefactors,” Mr Joyce said of Mr Robb’s work on trade deals and other policy areas.
“On behalf of the dairy industry I’d like to thank Minister Robb for all of the work that he has done.
“Minister Robb is certainly a person who has been lauded far and wide in all circles and at every country BBQ and all of the best and God bless mate.”
Other colleagues of Mr Robb - having seen the tributes flowing today in the often cynical and begrudging media praising his record of performance especially in this government – will cast envious eyes and ears and hopefully gain some enlightenment.
Perhaps one of Mr Robb’s most lasting legacies to the nation will be his long-running battle with mental health issues and speaking out about his depression, to inspire other Aussie blokes to seek help and break down dangerous stereotypes and stigmas.
"I've now had nearly five years where I've had better days than almost any time in the last 45 years,” Mr Robb told ABC Radio this week.
“I've got more responsibility I suspect than any time in my life and I think I'm reasonably effective in what I've been doing.
“I really want to present a case to lots of people in the community that if you've got a problem, first and foremost, admit to yourself you've got one - accept that it's just another medical condition.
“Accept it can be fixed and managed.”