Clive Palmer plans to play bowls, have a round of golf and go for a walk with his family after drawing the curtain on a short but colourful political career.
The Palmer United Party founder, whose narrow election by Sunshine Coast voters came as a shock in 2013, on Monday shut down speculation he would contest a Senate position.
But nobody should suggest he saw the writing on the wall and bowed out, Mr Palmer told AAP.
"I want to enjoy my life, play a bit of bowls and have a bit of fun," he said, repeatedly pointing out that at 62 he is at retirement age.
"Why should I have to be working all my life?
"What would you do if you had a few million dollars - would you go in parliament and sit in the madhouse with Bill Shorten and Turnbull?"
The self-proclaimed billionaire businessman said Canberra was a "cesspool of self interest" where he endured a backlash because he was the only politician there to serve the community, having donated his salary to charity.
"Everyone was out to get me because it was a very bad precedent to have someone there who actually wanted to do the job."
After promising to be a "full-time" politician, Mr Palmer - whose drawn more fire for the management of his business interests - left himself open to heavy criticism for his voting and attendance record.
Figures from the Chamber Research Office of the House of Representatives show he was present for just 56 per cent of 190 sittings.
But he highlighted the Palmer United Party's role in derailing the GP co-payment, protecting pensions and university fees and the school kids' bonus among its greatest successes.
"I negotiated all those deals myself outside parliament," he said.
Mr Palmer lamented only being able to speak in the House every 14 days.
"That's hardly working - sitting on your arse doing nothing," he said.
"I was out doing deals, making real difference."
Legal and liquidation dramas at Queensland Nickel, where more than 780 workers have lost their jobs amid claims he siphoned $200 million from the refinery, along with the ongoing deterioration of his Coolum resort, have cast a shadow over his political life.
Two of his key Senators - Glenn Lazarus and Jacqui Lambie - have also quit the party to become independents and a January poll showed his primary vote in Fairfax had slumped to a paltry two per cent.
In last year's Queensland election, PUP candidates received just 5.11 per cent of the primary vote.
But Mr Palmer was confident the party would continue to play a significant role in Australian politics.
He aimed parting swipes at career politicians who wanted only to secure generous post-Canberra entitlements.
Asked about his next move, Mr Palmer replied: "Play a game of golf and go for a walk with my wife and kids.
"I'm still the chairman of the Palmer United Party, so I'll help our candidates get elected to the Senate right across Australia."
